This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I decided to send the copy of my email message to Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, hours before the "huge" public comment session at the Capitol.
On the morning of March 22, South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood, myself and a few chamber board members met with approximately 50 business owners. The fear is palpable about these homeless shelter locations and the impacts on their livelihood. Many have said they will simply have to move (with no guarantee they would stay in South Salt Lake).
I know both of you must be bombarded with data, lists of public service organizations (there are many) now in SSL, etc.
I will be brief: The movie "Fast and Furious" comes to mind in describing this process. We are moving too fast, with little to no public input from day one. And, the state Legislature has the audacity to "do to the cities" what its members complain about from the federal government. Your legislation that takes away a city's planning and zoning process simply makes no sense.
For the topping on this ice cream sundae, you (1) place an incredibly short deadline for a decision and (2) add to South Salt Lake two more sites. What is going on, and why?
Gary Birdsall
South Salt Lake