Snowbird step closer to joining Sandy
Annexation » Resort grows increasingly dissatisfied with Salt Lake County.
Wanted: A government that cares.
That's what Snowbird says it has lost in recent years as its relationship with Salt Lake County has chilled. The ski resort now wants the power to annex into its down-the-canyon neighbor, Sandy.
The Utah Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill Friday that would allow the Little Cottonwood Canyon resort to become part of Sandy since their boundaries are separated only by federal lands.
"Fundamentally, a self-determination issue ought to prevail," said Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy.
Snowbird General Manager Bob Bonar said Friday the 2,500-acre resort has considered ceding Salt Lake County for years because of waning county support. He pointed to no specific projects, but said county leaders generally have lost their "energy, initiative and maybe their focus" in partnering with the resort.
With the county now calling on homeowners, businesses and even charitable institutions to pay a new police fee -- Snowbird could have to shell out $124,000 annually -- the resort is ready to split.
"We didn't wake up a month ago and decide this was a problem for us," Bonar told the Senate committee. "We have tried to right some of these problems with the county."
In a somewhat surprising twist, Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen spoke out in favor of the bill Friday. Jensen said he understands the resort's frustration and argues Snowbird should have the right to choose whether to stay with the county.
The Republican councilman stopped short of an official endorsement. The Democratic-controlled County Council hasn't taken an official position and concerns persist about how an annexation might affect public safety and tax revenues.
Fellow Councilman Max Burdick, also a Republican, described Snowbird's dissatisfaction as a "wake-up call," which may be reason for more serious reforms.
"It's time we take a very serious look at ourselves and make some very serious changes," he said. "Sometimes you just need paint. Sometimes you need major remodeling. And other times you need to raze the house and start over. At the county, we have done a lot of painting and remodeling. It may now be time to start over and rebuild our house with a more efficient form of government."
The county switched from a commission to a council form of government in 2001.
Snowbird wouldn't be the only resort affected by the bill. Solitude, in neighboring Big Cottonwood Canyon, has made "inquiries" about joining Cottonwood Heights.
Owner Gary DeSeelhorst said his resort needs a better public partner to compete.
But should the Legislature be the arbiter of such disputes? Mike Hansen, chairman of the Granite Community Council at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, says no. "It is bad public policy."
About SB244
Sen. Curtis Bramble's bill, which now advances to the full Senate, would make it possible for ski resorts to join cities even if their boundaries don't touch. A resort simply would have to be within 10 miles of a city and be separated only by federal lands.
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