Upzone redux...
Aug 01, 2013 | 791 views | 0 0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Bad ideas never seem to die. For the fourth time, developers are coming to the county planning commission to up-zone the 17-acre triangular parcel across Murphy Lane from Old City Park, bounded on the north by Cedar Hills Lane and on the east by Desert Hills Dr.

The three previous up-zone requests were voted down by both the Grand County Planning Commission and the Grand County Council. At the time the land belonged to the Grand County School District. The land is now owned by Redrock Partners, LLC, represented by Randy Day.

The land is currently zoned RR, rural residential, which allows between 17 and 26 units. The up-zone request is for SLR, small lot residential, which would allow 136 units.

Neighbors fought the previous up-zone proposals, which would have allowed 240 units, 80 units, or 34 units respectively because of the numerous impacts:

• Traffic will be significantly increased on winding, narrow Murphy Lane, and on Old City Park Road.

• The proposed valley-wide water supply study should be completed before any increased zoning densities are granted.

• The criteria required by county ordinance for a zone change were not met.

• Native vegetation dominates this parcel providing habitat for native birds and other wildlife. More disturbance means dust, weeds and loss of habitat.

• More houses do not increase the county’s wealth. Generally, the costs of services for one household exceed the new taxes collected.

Please attend the planning commission meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., in the Grand County Council Chambers at the Grand County Courthouse to speak, or to support your neighbors. Written comments are due by Aug. 8, at 3 p.m. (They can be mailed to the Grand County Planning Commission, 125 E. Center, Moab, UT 84532.)

—Mary Moran and Dennis Silva

Moab
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