And if they do eventually approve the 593-space lot in what is currently an aspen grove, they might need an exit route.
The Brighton Planning Commission met this week to consider recommending the city make zoning changes that would restrict a ski area’s development to within a resort’s approved boundaries. By the end of Wednesday’s meeting, two things became clear: 1. The amendment enjoys strong and vocal public support, and, 2. No one knows where those boundaries lie.
“It all collapses down to the definition of the resort boundaries,” said commissioner John Carpenter, who joined the discussion but recused himself from voting on the issue because of a familial conflict. “And it doesn’t sound like it’s as simple as the land that Solitude owns or Brighton owns or leases. I think, unfortunately, that’s going to be a heavy lift [to compile those maps], and I’m not sure there’s any way around it at this point.”
After taking into account the more than 120 letters the commissioners said they received, as well as input from some of the 50 or so people who attended the meeting in person or online (Brighton’s population is less than 400), the commissioners unanimously voted to recommend the change. However, they agreed they won’t forward that support onto the town council until after city planners create current and accurate maps that meet the commission’s approval.
The commission ordered the maps drawn with input from the Forest Service and the two Big Cottonwood Canyon resorts, Brighton and Solitude, in time for its next meeting on Oct. 15.
Read more at sltrib.com.
This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.