Waldrip Makes Heartfelt Statement

Addresses Civility in Public Discourse and Politely Withdraws 

By Robin M Johnson

In a surprising move, Stuart Waldrip, planning commission member, left the body's regularly scheduled meeting, Wednesday, April 19, after making a statement. First he stated that according to city code, "If any member believes there is a potential conflict of interest they are required to disclose it."

Waldrip holds the stance that there is no conflict of interest between his position on the planning commission and his involvement with High Valley Arts (HVA) the organization holding an option to purchase property at the base of Memorial Hill to potentially build an arts center.

Waldrip disclosed he and his wife made a loan to HVA, which then provided funding to secure property that may be annexed into the C-4 zone at some point in the future. The property is adjacent to the south side of Memorial Hill currently located outside the city limits.

While the arts center will be located on county property, the fields south of this parcel are inside Midway City limits within the proposed C-4 zone. Some residents have called for Waldrip to recuse himself since he is in a position, from their viewpoint, to profit from the Arts Center. They believe he should not be involved in helping to create the city code that will define the nature and use of this new commercial zone, should the city council decide to pass it.

Waldrip outlined his position as defensible yet decided after counseling with Corbin Gordon, city attorney, to leave the meeting for good decoram.

“I am a member of the High Valley Arts board, a non-profit 501c3 organization, dedicated to the benefit of the public," Waldrip said. "There has been some inference that perhaps that involvement would raise a conflict of interest with respect to the C-4 zoning approval. I do not believe that is the case. I think it is entirely defensible.

“I have chosen, in consultation with our city attorney Corbin Gordon … just as a matter of policy and good decorum to not admit that there is a conflict of interest in any respect with regard to either one of those involvements; but I will depart and not participate in the consideration or the voting … with respect to the proposed C-4 zone.”

After his statement Waldrip asked Nichols if he could comment on civil discourse in the public square: Waldrip said, “While we have differences of opinion, sometimes strong ones … on items important to our communities and families; hopefully we can discuss and debate those on a civil, calm, and polite basis.”  

Recent events in our society, Waldrip said, show a lack of that decorum and we have had bad examples set at higher levels of government. 

“I’m worried we are following that bad example.” Waldrip said. He expalined some in Midway have been tempted to turn to an attack on the individuals on a personal basis. 

“I would like to encourage a civil discourse without attack on individuals," said Waldrip.  "My wife, myself, and other individuals have been attacked in recent times, inappropriately, untruthfully, and unmercifully. I think that is a darn shame for our community.” 

In conclusion Waldrip said he wanted to “Encourage everybody that when we debate an item, when we have different views on something, when we want to make a point, that we do it in the form of civil discourse, with politeness and with respect for one another. Let the chips fall where they may and not yield to the temptation to make the matters personal."

Waldrip then excused himself from the meeting for both items on the agenda regarding the C-4 zone. His heartfelt plea set the tone for the comments made during all discussion on both items. 

NOTE: Three part article to follow on the meeting. Watch for it by early next week. 

New City Center for Midway (Part two of two)

Public Comment on March 15 (Planning Commission Meeting)

by Robin M Johnson

No public hearing was schedule last month, but Mickey Oksner, former planning commission chairman, opened a public hearing due to a large citizen turn out. Many questions were raised.

Paul Christensen was concerned about increased traffic on River Road and cited the recent accident on Highway 40 near UVU’s Wasatch campus. Southbound traffic was diverted off Highway 40 to River Road through to Main Street continuing across Midway Lane to Heber City’s Main Street, and vice versa for northbound traffic. Traffic making a left turn onto Midway's Main Street was backed up on River Road well beyond Memorial Hill.  Christensen asked how the increased traffic for the proposed concept plan in the C-4 zone would be accommodated.

Candyce Nowers was concerned with possible underground parking. She said how difficult it was for the city to put in upgraded water lines in conjunction with the Main Street beautification project a dozen or so years ago. She said to get through the potrock they were having to blast through the potrock under Main Street about every six inches. Ample parking for what might be built was also a concern as lowering the required number of parking stalls is being considered as an incentive for developers to donate some of their land as open space.

Nowers said she hoped they would not approve more office space as the buildings we already have struggle to fill their space, and two more additional office spaces have already been approved by the city.  She questioned if the commission was sure they could fill the potential movie theaters that could go in as the trend to attend movie theaters is going down.Three more concerns Nowers cited were the projects size being is too large for Midway, the city already having a walkable area in the current city center where Ridley’s and other businesses are located, and the doubling of units allowed per acre from 20 to 40, also as an incentive for developers to donate open space.

Nathan Nowers said he enjoys leaving Midway to visit River Woods, then coming back to his quiet, rural home in Midway.

Inez Wilde complimented the city for the thought they had put into the project and appreciated their efforts to help neighbors deal with the impacts by requiring setbacks and berms. Wilde’s concerns were the noise an outdoor amphitheatre would generate, the lighting impact, snow removal (where will all the snow be stored?), the outdoor eating area only being useful for five or six months out of the year, loss of the view of Memorial Hill from her yard, the area only being profitable in the summer, where will the geese, cranes, and deer move to?, and the fact that River Woods located in Provo (much larger than Midway) almost went bankrupt so how can Midway support this type of commercial development.

Robyn Stone said Midway’s flavor is unique and touches hearts in a very personal way. The unity of Midway draws many here. The area is uniquely quiet where you can hear nature and see wild animals. In contrast “the C-4 Zone change is Tourism”. Stone said.  “While the idea of a European Village is quite quaint, what if it doesn’t go? We need to do more homework, see more evidence that it will work.” In conclusion Stone asked the commission to preserve the rural flavor of Midway as a retreat, which appeals to so many who have come here.

Scott Lewis said he is a strong supporter of preserving open space in a way that keeps Midway a rural community. “The more residential we build, the more it costs us in open space,” he said. “We need to build and preserve the character we know and love, … do it in a planned way … not a willy nilly way.”

Mr. Stevens brought up the traffic impact from the potential residentail at 40 units per acre. “I think you have a problem,” he said. “One unit generates 10 trips a day. You could be overloaded.” 

Quinn Calder said people are coming to Midway for the proximity to the mountains and for the rural environment. He said this concept feels more like Tuachan and not what fits Midway. As a photographer he is aware of Midway’s strengths in the visual arts with plein aire, local painters and photographers, and in the performing arts. However he cautioned the commission. “I appreciate your vision. We need to approach this carefully and go slow.” He suggested working toward doing this in about ten years.

Steve Wilde said be careful of unintended consequences.

Holly Bodily said the biggest concern is the large scale, she likes the idea, she doesn’t like the grandeur.  She asked them to keep it as rural as possible and scale back. 

Several more residents revisited points already made by previous comments.

Planning commissioners discussed the concerns expressed in the public hearing. 

William Ream made a list of the public concerns from notes he took, several not already stated above were ensuring the venue could work, adding the visual arts to the theatre, the policing of events in the venue, widening of River Road, who would own the theatre, and damage to the community following events. 

Steven Nichols list included quantifying the open space, height too excessive, 40 units per acre not practical and public doesn’t want, where would the park be located and how big would it be, and what is the tax benefit to the city under the newly proposed C-4 zone. 

Natalie Streator said the 50% height increase for decorative features seemed to be the most contentious issue. She asked how to take the River Road concerns to UDOT. Wes Johnson, city engineer, said River Road is a city road, not a UDOT road and he could handle that. She also brought up light and noise issues which Michael Henke will address. 

Stu Waldrip said acquiring this land is time sensitive and waiting could result in losing the ability to do it. He said typically those who express concerns nearly all live in close perimeter. Theoretically surveying all of Midway you could get a much different response than tonight. A vocal minority cannot override ... benefit of the whole community at large. Waldrip reminded the commission they were appointed to represent ALL, they need to bear in mind the concerns of the community, but that the property, under this zoning, could very possibly take you completely out of the ability to develop. 

Valais Park Master Plan

For the proposed Valais Park master plan visit here:
http://www.midwaycityut.org/media/uploads/files/Valais%20Park%20Master%20Plan.pdf

Recreational or Natural Open Space?

by Robin M Johnson

Midway City in currently seeking input on the direction to take Valais Park in the future. The city council wants to hear from all interested members in the community. A public hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00 pm. The city will keep track of letters and phone calls between now and next Wednesday to make part of the public record. Check out the city's website for more information: http://www.midwaycityut.org/

As the largest of Midway City parks the Valais Park was originally envisioned as having the potential to become the crown jewel of the Parks and Recreation system as a recreational park. In the works for 17 years this property was dedicated to Midway City by the developers of The Valais in 2000. Both the city and the developer agreed in city meetings that the park would be recreational in nature and the wetlands on the property would be preserved.

Harold Remund, a former council member serving in the city over parks and recreation, worked hard to provide recreational opportunities for Midway's youth. Later Colleen Bonner served as council member over parks and recreation. Many citizens worked with the city and Midway's outdoor ice rink was born. Also a small recreation center in the basement of the city offices, which only lasted a few years until the city felt the need to expand offices into the basement. Aquiring properties for recreational city parks also occurred around the turn of the century.

Open space preservation was an important issue to Midway citizens in the 90's. At least two other city parks were dedicated to the city in like manner as Valais Park, the Hamlet Park and Alpinhof Park, according to city code at that time. The dedication of land to the city served as the open space requirement for their developments. Midway City also purchased the land for Centennial Park during this period. All of these parks were envisioned as recreational open space. Over time open space trends changed within city code by developer request for newer developments, developers now keep open space inside their PUD or subdivision to be used by residents living within its boundaries.

Amenities have been added gradually to each of the parks. To date the Valais Park amenities include a small playground with swing set, two small pavilions, restrooms, a ball diamond, a tennis, basketball, and volleyball court, a dog park, walking trails, wetlands and open space in a natural setting, and 43 parking spaces.

                     

Valais Park: Burgi Lane and Interlaken Road (240 East)

Proposed ammenities include a large play area or a splash pad, a 9 hole, 3 par golf course, a soccer feild, two more tennis courts, six pickle ball courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, two more restroom facilities, several small pavilions, one large pavilion, and 123 additional parking spaces. Wetlands are still protected in the new plan. 

Today open space remains an important issue to Midway residents. The most recent five year general plan review was posted on the city's website and included many comments from Midway citizens about open space. Not everyone sees eye to eye on what that open space should look like. 

Many residents over the past 25 years have consistently expressed the desire to keep Midway's open space rural in nature. Others complain about the smell from local livestock. Amidst all these opinions are also the realities of property rights. The group Pure Midway recently organized and is actively pursuing funding for open space conservation easements to preserve pasture lands and give land owners a viable alternative other than selling to a developer. 

Pressure is now coming down on Valais Park to change its historical purpose. The city is receiving queries to keep the Valais Park as natural open space verses recreational open space. For this reason the city is asking for as much input as possible to know what the majority of its citizens want to see happen. Now is the time to make your voice heard.