Desert Garden Residents are upset with the Mayor’s recent newsletter article entitled “I Feel Your Pain.” Her intent in writing the article was to tell the community that she can empathize with members of the community whose lives have been impacted negatively by development, because she likewise has been negatively impacted. However, she missed the mark with the article. (I think the mayor would likewise admit she missed the mark, see her response to an email below). I think her recent votes and her fatalistic view galvanized residents into expressing their dissatisfaction. Below are two recent emails from residents that express their dissatisfaction (and frustration). (NOTE: permission was given by the two residents to post their email)
I hope the recent feedback from the residents resonates not just with the mayor but with the other council members, including myself, to remember why we were elected and not to think negative change is inevitable.
1st Email from Gary Leverett:
“Mayor Krause,
Regarding your commentary “I Feel Your Pain” in the town newsletter, everything you mentioned regarding development that has changed the view from your patio was a result of decisions made by the town council. Fairfield Inn, Zion Wildflower Resort, the KOA campground and the 10 lot subdivision. Of course those aren’t the only projects/businesses we’re “learning to live with”. Just the ones you can see from your patio.
Some things left unmentioned but I suspect were implied are the LaBrie project (Yes, I’m going there again) that will potentially bring a gas station, restaurant, store, and some form of lodging within a few yards of homes in Desert Garden Estates, separated only by a wall. It also appears that if the current administration had their way, every available parcel north of SR9 west of Fort Zion would be commercialized. The current council approved the zone change for parcel V-2-1-21-2342 and most members (including you) favor the proposed development there. It is of course true that there are many residents in our neighborhood that are not happy about that. An even worse scenario would see that project fail and then be replaced by something even less desirable. With the zone change approval, that genie is forever out of the bottle. You might argue that there’s a permit process that developers must go through before approval is granted by town administrators. Given the recent history of that process, I have little confidence that homeowners’ concerns will carry much weight.
You’ve also made it clear that the adjoining parcel should/would(?) follow its natural course to also be rezoned for commercial use because…
‘It would be silly to build a house especially when you are about to have a roundabout and a gas station there. No one is going to build a house there. It is going to be commercial. The rural residential piece is going to be sticking out like a sore thumb”.
The Sore Thumb aspect mattered little when the town agreed to change the “Labrie” parcel to a commercial zone directly in front of our neighborhood and even allowed the entrance to our neighborhood to be used for commercial purpose. The actual sore thumb appeared when that (Labrie) parcel was rezoned to commercial. No amount of outrage from the people who live here could overcome the demands made by the developer. When we moved here, the land surrounding our neighborhood was primarily zoned residential. The dominoes continue to fall. I remember when our mayor and town council routinely demonized citizens of Virgin who expressed concerns that our town would become one big campground. Referendum sponsors and their supporters were frequently (and publicly) proclaimed liars spreading disinformation. So take a look around town now.
The changes you mentioned that impact you every day include the loss of the Solitary Dark Sky Neighborhood being replaced by many lights, noise, traffic and people. It’s hard to believe that most of those things were once upon a time considered high priorities in our town’s General Plan. The entire concept of a General Plan that a majority of the citizens of Virgin agreed to back then has been gradually eroded over the past ten years to become a virtually meaningless document, I suspect much to the chagrin of many of the people who actually live here.
Now our town is faced with water and sewer issues that appear to my untrained eye to have largely manifested as a result of unbridled commercial development. I’ll shed no tears for businesses crying about the cost of their (new or projected) sewer systems. Especially if the solution to their problem involves me incurring expenses that I don’t currently have. Why is their problem becoming my problem? I’m waiting for someone to explain to me why I should get excited about our town annexing to Ash Creek while there’s been very little indication that town administrators are willing to say NO to a landowner or developer about things the rest of us care about.
Almost everything you and I described, including sewer systems, are the direct result of decisions made by our town administrators. Not the County. Not UDOT. It’s disingenuous to suggest that the town’s current path and future is inevitable. I think that would be true if the council members were the same next year as it is today. Hopefully, that culture will change on January 3rd. That’s why we have elections.
I know that your job is often thankless and I sincerely appreciate the time and effort that you, the town council, P&Z, and Zoning Administrator dedicate to our town. I admit that I couldn’t do it. Don’t want to. But I do reserve my right to be heard about things I care about.
Thanks,
Gary Leverett“
2nd Email from Charlie and Cheryl Sliger:
“Mayor Jean,
Your letter in our town newsletter regarding your ‘feelings’ comes off more like a lecture than empathy.
For years P and Z, Town Council and former Mayors have displayed a blind hatred for the residents of Desert Gardens even though they don’t know most of us. This has not been a passive display but rather vocalized in meetings, emails, newsletters and other actions.
Not all of us who moved here expected “no growth” but rather responsible development and honesty. What we have had so far, are back room deals, private meetings and things being approved without the residents knowledge. When permits are approved, often the final project resembles nothing like the original plan. Weeping Buffalo and Wildflowers are great examples of this.
For years, water has been an issue in Virgin, but these concerns have fallen on deaf ears and from P & Z and the TC, because most of the members on these committees own land here, which they wish to sell.
Perhaps this explains the lack of transparency in previous approval of projects?
If you really felt our pain, you would have voted no on the zoning change for the food truck area. But instead you used your “gut feeling” to say that you feel Michelle will have a successful business. Gut feelings are no guarantee and maybe she won’t make it and then we get something worse. Also your feelings that the adjacent property will not be suitable for a residence, is also just your feeling.
It’s time to be an advocate for the residents. Decisions should be based on logic not emotion.
First photo from 2017 looking at our house from across SR9.
2nd and 3rd are today looking at Labrie project from our backyard.
(NOTE: UNABLE TO POST DUE TO SIZE OF PHOTO. I WILL UPDATE THIS POST WITH PHOTOS ONCE I REDUCE THE SIZE OF PHOTO)
Regards,
Charlie and Cheryl Sliger“
Mayor’s response to 2nd email:
“Charlie and Cheryl,
I am sorry if that article came across more like a lecture. That was certainly not the intention.
It was merely to convey that I really do understand everyone’s angst at development in town that has an impact on them. Complaints at the public hearing at the P&Z last month were largely related to noise, lights, traffic, interference with view, and what might happen if the proposed project does not come to pass. My point was merely to say that I have suffered all of those too, so don’t think I do not understand the worry.
I don’t want anyone to dare think I do not understand. I have personally suffered the exact same thing. That was all I sought to convey in the article.
Jean M. Krause
Mayor
Virgin Town
114 S Mill Street | Virgin, UT 84779
435.680.6823 | mayor@virgin.utah.gov“
Reply to Mayor’s response:
“Thanks for the quick response.
We understand that we’re all experiencing the growth pains that popular destinations go through. We didn’t respond to beat you up; we just want our voices heard and for our opinions to be considered. We really do appreciate your efforts for what must sometimes be a thankless job.
We’ve been demonized, ignored and treated like outcasts instead of being accepted as citizens of this town who really care.
We moved here to become part of this community and to make contributions or make this place better. We don’t chose our friends by their income status, political or religious affiliations. We care about everyone in this community and it shouldn’t take a disaster to bring us together(as is the case) sometimes in some small towns. We don’t want that here.
Thanks for graciously accepting our feedback. It is really good to know that someone is listening.
Charlie and Charlie“