Treasure Hill is starting to become a focal point of the 2013 election. Last Friday City Council member Alex Butwinski stated on KPCW that he expects a deal with the developer and decision on the future of Treasure Hill to be completed before the end of the year.
The City has been holding private weekly meetings with the developer over the past year or more. The City committee is represented by Dana Williams, Liza Simpson and City staff. The committee is trying to work out a deal with the developers to develop Treasure Hill and to transfer some of the density. The deal as tentatively proposed includes approximately 50 percent of the density being developed in Creole Gulch/Treasure Hill while approximately 50 percent of the density would be transferred elsewhere possibly to the base area of PCMR.
Please keep in mind that the development rights being negotiated were approved way back in 1986 nearly 30 years ago! Unfortunately the City back then did not have the foresight to put a time limit on those 30 year old rights and of course much has changed in Old Town since then. The amount approved in 1986 = 413,000 sq. ft. The last proposal submitted by the developer included nearly 1,200,000 sq. ft. approx. 3 times more than originally approved!
It is THINC’s strong belief that every measure should be made to preserve Treasure Hill as 100% open space forever. The land (located right above Old Town) is extremely sensitive and needs to be preserved as open space to protect Park City’s landmark hillside, trail system, the historical integrity of Old Town, and the safety of Old Town residents. More families are making Old Town their home with more children and more pets walking on the narrow streets of Old Town than in recent memory.
There are major issues and flaws with the proposed development including public safety, inadequate roads and sidewalks to support the increased traffic, and major environmental issues with toxic waste/mine tailings potentially located on the site. The environmental issues were never even discussed during the last round of public meetings with the planning commission.
The planned excavation and scale/scope of the proposed development is STAGGERING. Please make sure to view the images on our Facebook page (THINC Park City) which show the extreme excavation (looks to be 100 feet high) and massive development proposed by the developer (1.2 million square feet) with an expanse of buildings, towers, conference center, etc. Is this really what we want to become of Treasure Hill and Old Town Park City?
THINC strongly believes that no development belongs on Treasure Hill or in Creole Gulch and that the density should be moved to the base area of PCMR. There is a long standing precedent of putting the density at resort centers and we are in favor of this approach.
THINC (Treasure Hill Impact Neighborhood Coalition) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Founded by Brian Van Hecke and a few members of Park City’s residential community in response to the threat of the development of Treasure Hill, THINC now consists of hundreds of Park City’s residents. The group includes residents, business owners and homeowners from all over Park City including Park Meadows, Pinebrook, Thaynes Canyon, and Old Town. THINC’s collective mission is to raise public awareness and to help initiate action in order to preserve and protect Park City’s Historic Old Town.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/pages/THINC-Park-City/108251175898049 and www.thincpc.wordpress.com/