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EM residents express concerts about Skyline Ridge development June 7, 2017, 12:03 pmThe planning commission expressed concerns about several code violations the changes introduced into the development. Those violations included two cul-de-sacs that were significantly longer than the 250 feet specified by current city code (proposed length 725 feet and 1,575 feet). The road slope would also be above that which is allowed in code. The staff report to the planning commission included this verbiage: "This project is located within 200′ of slopes of at least 20 percent, requiring a slope stability study. The applicant has hired an engineering firm to complete the slope study, but as of the writing of the report (5-4-17) the study had not been received. It is anticipated that the study will be completed either on the 8th or 9th of May. As such staff feels it is appropriate to continue this item to a later meeting; however, there are a number of additional items to consider with this project, and staff recommends reviewing at this time and providing feedback to the applicant." The city planning commission voted unanimously to table the item until no earlier than June 13. Several of the residents voiced concern with the planned changes as well as concern over the damages they claimed the developer has and is doing to the hill side currently. Adam Olsen, an Eagle Mountain resident, in a email to Steve Mumford (community development director) dated May 9, stated, "I feel the Planning Commission and ultimately City Council should hold with the approved preliminary plan. This plan keeps the units clustered at the base of the hills and keeps the hillside open. Eagle Mountain is in a unique position where we have many open hillsides. Clustering at the base of those hillsides leaves them preserved as City open space and really contributes to our sense of place. Continuing this focus on and protection of open hillsides can be a real community asset." Protecting the slope was not the only item that was brought up by the residents. Sarah Carroll, a Skyline Ridge resident, in another email to the planning commission, brought up the concern of wildfires. "By extending the cul-de-sacs beyond what is allowed by code, the future residents of these homes will be at a greater risk in the event of wildfire and could even become trapped in the cul-de-sac in option 1," her email read. She also voiced concerns about the grading, blasting, jagged rocks and massive piles of dirt. "When the wind blows the entire neighborhood is covered by a dust storm." Several residents at the planning commission meeting also reported damage to their residents from the blasting. When the city was asked for a statement regarding what it has done and plans on doing for the residents that have had damage done to their residence due to the blasting, Linda Peterson, Eagle Mountain communications and community relations director provided this statement: "The City heard from a couple of residents regarding the blasting in the Kiowa Valley/Skyline Ridge area. They had concerns about damage to their property related to the blasting. "Since this development started blasting, the City has been in regular communication with Unified Fire Authority because they are the entity that issues the blasting permits and checks to see that the blasting company is meeting the required standards. We passed on contact information for these residents to UFA who then followed up with the blasting company, 3 Rivers Drilling and Blasting, and the residents. "UFA confirmed to the City that the blasting company met the requirements for blasting in that area, including seismological monitoring at the site which met the standard. Our City engineering department and Mayor Pengra were also also on-site to observe during one of the blasts. "3 Rivers recommended that the residents file a claim through 3 Rivers' insurance company, so UFA gave the residents their contact information. I have not heard anything further from the residents so I am not aware of the outcome of those claims. "Moving forward with additional development in that area, the city will continue to work with the developer to do everything we can to help minimize impact to current residents. Discussions will continue during public meetings as well, as applications come forward." The mayor planned to do a blog post to cover the blasting in the Skyline Ridge area as well as other areas around the city. Request for statements from the developer, Goldworth Homes, have gone unanswered. Mike Kieffer is a professional blogger for i84005.com and Eagle Mountain resident. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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