© 2024 KPCW

KPCW
Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center
PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley
Park City | UT | 84060
Office: (435) 649-9004 | Studio: (435) 655-8255

Music & Artist Inquiries: music@kpcw.org
News Tips & Press Releases: news@kpcw.org
Volunteer Opportunities
General Inquiries: info@kpcw.org
Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Park City Considers Expanding Annexation Area, As Hideout Also Looks To Expand

The Park City Council will consider amending the City’s annexation policy plan Thursday, in response to action by a neighboring municipality. 

The City Council in April discussed the possibility of expanding the City’s annexation area to include the Quinn’s Junction area, but recent discussions around annexation by the Hideout Town Council have expedited the need for decision making. Park City Manager Diane Foster says, procedurally, Hideout was required to notify Park City of the discussion—but they didn’t, and the City was caught off guard.

“As a property owner there, and as a city that is located within a quarter-mile boundary, we didn't get any notices from Hideout," Foster said. "We heard about it thanks to Summit County Manager Tom Fisher. He gave us a heads up that Hideout was talking about it. It seems like it's probably increasing the size of—potentially increasing the size of—their city three to four times.”

Foster says Hideout is in the beginning stages of implementing its annexation policy plan. The town’s proposed annexation expansion area spans south of SR 248 and east of U.S. 40 beyond Jordanelle State Park. It includes City-owned properties within the Quinn’s Junction area: Richardson Flat and Clark Ranch.

Foster says it’s likely Hideout is trying to expand its annexation area for commercial development, because Hideout currently relies solely on property tax for funding.

“You could put in big-box retail in that intersection, and it would do very well," Foster said. "And some people might like the idea of a Trader Joe's or a Costco, and none of those are being proposed right now, but that's the potential. It's not unusual when a city annexes property and they don't have sales tax to put in sales tax base.”

That sort of development, Foster says, would affect the vision Park City has crafted for itself. So, the Park City Planning Department recommends Council consider a moderate expansion amendment, which would include all Richardson Flat, Clark Ranch and Round Valley areas.

Foster says the City and Summit County have spent decades planning the future of Quinn’s Junction, and Hideout’s possible annexation and development of the area could impact those who use SR 248 and the whole Park City community.

"This is the possibility of significantly expanding what is now really low density at our doorstep," Foster said.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the annexation policy plan around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Emily Means hadn’t intended to be a journalist, but after two years of studying chemistry at the University of Utah, she found her fit in the school’s communication program. Diving headfirst into student media opportunities, Means worked as a host, producer and programming director for K-UTE Radio as well as a news writer and copy editor at The Daily Utah Chronicle.