Tavaci has become a household word in Cottonwood Heights. Now, the hotly-contested development at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon has also become an election issue.
A citizen-activist group called CHVoters recently polled City Council candidates about where they stood regarding developer Terry Diehl's dream to build high-density condominiums, hotels and restaurants on his mountainside parcel. The group plans to spend about $3,000 to mail letters to every registered voter in the city.
"We're trying to take a sort of 'League of Women Voters' approach," said Will McCarvill, president of CHVoters, "to give candidates the opportunity to bare their souls to their future constituency as to how they feel on this very important issue."
The letter includes the positions of the four contenders vying for two council seats. So far, it appears that developer Terry Diehl will gain no allies at the ballot box.
For several years, Diehl has dreamed of erecting something grand on his 43 acres. Before the city incorporated in 2005, Diehl obtained Salt Lake County's approval to build a gated community with 43 mansions, an option that CHVoters supports. The land currently has only one access road that winds upward to the meadow-like parcel.
However, the recession caused Diehl to change course.
In 2009, with the help of former city Councilman Bruce Jones, Diehl managed to get the Planning Commission's nod for a so-called Canyons Resort Residential zone. The zone would have allowed Diehl to build condos, hotels, eateries and other retail amenities, with some buildings reaching five stories tall.
That approval drew significant public outcry, causing the City Council to put the resort concept on hold. After further scrutiny, the Council voted it down this August. Diehl immediately applied to disconnect his land from Cottonwood Heights.
Planning commissioners and council members now are considering compromise that would give Diehl higher density and allow him to build up to 195 homes. However, finding common ground with Diehl appears unlikely. His attorney, Bruce Baird, called the suggested new zone a "nonstarter" and said his client, if denied the disconnect, plans to sue in 3rd District Court.
So where do the candidates stand on the Diehl development? Here's a look, starting in District 1, where Mike Shelton and Janet Janke are competing for the seat longtime Councilman Gordon Thomas will vacate by year's end.
Mike Shelton • is a 44-year-old independent businessman who has lived in Cottonwood Heights for 11 years. As he sees it, developers are not the enemy.
"We owe them a city plan under which to operate, a reasonable time frame in which to respond to their requests and a fair process," he said.
However, he said the city is under no obligation to change the permitted use of a property solely to benefit the landowner. Shelton considers it "unfortunate" that the residential zone being drafted by the city seems to still fall short of Diehl's desires.
"When there is not a mutually beneficial compromise, the current zone should remain in place," he said.
Janet Janke • is a 64-year-old retired human resources consultant and corporate trainer who has lived in Cottonwood Heights since 1968.
"I know its prime ground that will be developed into something some day," Janke said of Diehl's land, "so we'll have to give and take a little bit."
Even so, Janke considers high density and commercial development inappropriate for that particular property.
"I'd love to see it remain in Cottonwood Heights," Janke added, "and to see it developed so its aesthetically pleasing and enhances our city."
Those sentiments are similar in District 2, where incumbent Scott Bracken is seeking a third term over the challenge of James Thuet.
Scott Bracken • is 45, self-employed and has lived in Cottonwood Heights since 1994. He said he intends to vote on Nov. 1 against Diehl's request to disconnect from the city.
"Zone shopping is not appropriate, and you shouldn't be able to go to the county looking for a better deal," Bracken said.
Land use on Diehl's "very visible" property should be consistent with other gateway properties, he said, adding that he's eager to see the final draft of the new canyons residential zone.
"Every property owner has the right to ask, the right to the process," Bracken said. "But they don't have the right to an outcome."
James Thuet • is a 61-year-old management analyst for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, who has lived in Cottonwood Heights for 24 years.
"Its unfortunate that it's gotten this far," said Thuet, who thinks the city acted appropriately in denying Diehl's resort request. He, too, opposes increasing the number of homes Diehl can build.
"If he doesn't make as much as he thought he would, that is capitalism and that is business," Thuet said. "We as citizens do not have the responsibility to make him whole."
The city should fight to preserve the foothills surrounding the mouth of the canyon, Thuet said.
"Once we pave them, they're gone," he said. "For short-term profit, we're selling out our long-term heritage."
CHVoters — an advocacy group with 600 members on its email list — has not yet decided whether to endorse any of the candidates.
cmckitrick@sltrib.com
twitter: @catmck —
What's next?
Nov. 1 • The City Council will vote on developer Terry Diehl's disconnect petition. If the Council denies his request, he likely will challenge the decision in 3rd District Court.
Nov. 8 • Cottonwood Heights voters in Districts 1 and 2 will select City Council representatives for the next four years.
Pending • The Planning Commission continues to mull a new residential zone that could give Diehl more density and up to 195 living units. The matter ultimately will go before the City Council. —
Election preview:
Voters will go to the polls on Nov. 8 to pick their city leaders. Here's a look at other candidates who will be running in your community.
ALTA
Council At-Large (Vote for two)
Merebea Danforth
Steven "Piney" Gilman(i)
Mimi Levitt
Harris Sondak
HOLLADAY
District 2
Lynn H. Pace(i)
District 4
Steven H. Gunn
Robert (Bob) Neslen
District 5
Annette Malen
J. James (Jim) Palmer(i)
MIDVALE
District 1
Robert M. Hale(i)
District 2
Paul Glover(i)
District 3
Alan C. Anderson
Paul Hunt
MURRAY
District 1
Phil Markham
David Nicponski
District 3
Jim Brass(i)
District 5
Krista K. Dunn(i)
Brett A. Hales
Source: Salt Lake County Clerk
