The public is slated to have the first opportunity on Wednesday to provide comments during a formal hearing about a development concept in Bonanza Park that involves the Park City municipal government.
The Park City Planning Commission is scheduled to continue the discussions about the concept and hold a hearing. The hearing is an important step in the Planning Commission’s review. Some with concerns about the concept have provided input about the future of the land to the Park City Council in recent months, but the application is before the Planning Commission rather than the elected officials.
The concept involves a mix of housing, commercial spaces, art spaces and a childcare location. There would be 2 acres of open space spread throughout the approximately 5 acres. The details include:
- 88 units of income-restricted rentals.
- 18 rentals without income restrictions.
- More than 30,000 square feet for a variety of tenants, such as retailers, restaurants, cafes and art spaces for not-for-profit organizations.
- A childcare location.
- 2 acres of open space.
The parcel stretches inward from the southwest corner of the Kearns Boulevard-Bonanza Drive intersection. The municipal government owns the land and is partnering with a Chicago-based Brinshore Development.
Issues like the height of buildings, the traffic a development would be expected to generate, and parking are expected to come up during the review.
The concept has spurred organized opposition with a group called PLACE PC emerging in recent months. Kelly Pfaff, who is involved with the group, said she hopes for a large turnout at the meeting. She said she expects building heights and traffic to be broached during the hearing.
Pfaff hopes speakers press the Planning Commission to request the development partnership reconsider the concept. She is interested in a new concept with buildings that are lower in height, that would not generate as much traffic, that would offer additional arts and culture, and provide more green space for gatherings.
She said, as an example, a concept could include a new location for a City Hall building. She hopes the Planning Commission asks for reconsideration of the current layout.
There is a movement attempting to influence Park City’s elected officials to turn the land into park space instead of pursuing the development concept.
“Time is of the essence,” Pfaff said. “We need our leaders to listen.”
The first Planning Commission work session about the concept, held in June, was cordial. Planning commissioners commented about heights and parking. The one on Wednesday and subsequent meetings could be more intense, as hearings are held and the panel delves into specifics.
There are 90 minutes set aside at the meeting for the concept. The Planning Commission is expected to continue the item until a meeting on Aug. 12.
The project continues the municipal government’s aggressive housing push. Leaders see benefits to the housing program like boosting socioeconomic diversity and reducing commuter traffic. The efforts are designed to assist people who are otherwise priced out of Park City’s resort-driven real estate and rental markets.
“Commissioners will be considering the affordable housing mitigation plan, traffic impact study, and requested building height exceptions for the 5-acre site, and will evaluate the proposal for compliance with the requirements of the Land Management Code. Public participation is an important part of the process, and thoughtful, informed comments that address the specific considerations before the commission are the most helpful in building a strong public record as it considers the application,” said Clayton Scrivner, the city’s director of communications.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at the Marsac Building. More information is available on the municipal website, parkcity.org. The direct link to the meeting information is: parkcityut.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3676/overview.