PROVO — Utah County leaders want more information about Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort's planned expansion into American Fork Canyon before revising ordinances to accommodate it.
The Utah County Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to postpone a decision on Snowbird's request to amend parts of the county's land-use ordinance until the commission's Sept. 20 meeting.
Snowbird is proposing to build a chairlift from Mary Ellen Gulch that would return skiers to the Mineral Basin area of the resort, as well as an extension of the Mineral Basin express chairlift.
The requested zoning amendments also include making zip lines, alpine slides and mountain coasters permitted in the area. It's those proposed facilities that gave planning commissioners pause.
Including those in the list of permitted facilities for the county's Critical Environmental Zone, Commissioner Janice Reeb said, "sets a precedent that those are appropriate, not just permitted."
The Planning Commission requested more information about Snowbird's plans for the roughly 500 acres it owns on the south side of the existing resort, specifically the density of the project.
Depending on how much of that property will be developed, the project could negatively impact the environment, Reeb said.
The commission's decision to table the issue followed an hourlong public hearing during which opinions on Snowbird's plans were evenly divided.
Most of those who spoke against the project expressed a desire to see the canyons preserved.
"I haven't seen anything about the environmental impacts this would or could have," said Ash Johnsdottir, of Provo.
"I worry that when my children are trying to use American Fork Canyon in 30 years that they're not going to have the experience they have there now," added Katina Phillpotts, of Orem.
Snowbird general manager Bob Bonar said many of the same concerns were expressed in 1999, when resort officials prepared to build ski lifts in the Mineral Basin area.
Resort officials were "diligent" in making sure water quality, as well as flora and fauna, were not harmed by the project, Bonar said. Water quality in the area, he said, "actually improved."
"Despite the fact we have millions of people who recreate and enjoy winter and summer activities (at Snowbird), we're taking good care of it," Bonar said.
Snowbird also allows people who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the wilderness area to participate in the resort's winter and summer activities, he said.
Several people at Tuesday's public hearing praised the resort's programs for the disabled.
Katie Terry, of American Fork, told Planning Commissioners about her car accident eight years ago that left her in a wheelchair. Through programs at Snowbird, the accident didn't force her to give up skiing, she said.
"There are a lot of things out there we feel like we're not able to do," Terry said of the disabled community. "Snowbird has made anything possible."
Managed recreation sites like Snowbird, Bonar said, "provide important recreational activities and great outdoor access."
"Not everybody has the ability to enjoy our wilderness areas by hiking or walking to the top (of a mountain)," he said.
Those opposed to the project, however, said what Snowbird plans to build is not simply "managed recreation."
"They're basically amusement park rides," Allen Sanderson said. "Do they really belong in a mountain setting?"
In April, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Service agreed to review the expansion proposal, allowing Snowbird to begin an environmental analysis — a process that could take several years.
Jennifer Ketsor of the nonprofit group Save Our Canyons said that study needs to be completed and the findings reviewed before any any approvals are granted to allow the Snowbird expansion to move forward.
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