Snowflake Council Says no to New RV Park in Belly Button
Snowflake Council Says no to New RV Park in Belly Button
On Tuesday, September 7th, the Snowflake Town Council board heard the request for a Special Permit to use the land across from Best Western, Auto Zone and O’Reilly in Belly Button. The intent was to use specific areas of the land already coded as Commercial to build a RV park. The representative for the developer was present at the meet and explained that the investors had already invested a lot into the cultivation of this project and had been working tirelessly with the Zoning and Code Enforcement offices to work on all of the obstacles that have hindered an approval thus far. Currently, the property owner is leasing the land to Councilman Cory Johnson for cattle grazing.
Mayor Johnson asked the representative if his client had already talked to the surrounding neighbors about how they felt about the development and was not surprised to hear that they were met with many disapprovals and concerns. While there were a few residents who did not seem to have an opinion or responded with neutrality, the representative admitted that, in part, the general concern came from the flooding that occurs in the area.
Council Member Flake noted that there are a lot of cattle pastures in that area and the runoff from the highway into the park, riddled with pollutants from traffic, would be devastating to the eco structure in the area. Council Member Perkins followed Council Member Flake’s statement by exposing yet another big problem with the development. The councilwoman explained that Snowflake does not collect rental tax and thrives mostly due to business tax. To take the last piece of prime, frontage, commercial land we have left and put an RV park development on it would strip the town of the future use of it. The Mayor added that many residents would prefer to have a Big Box store placed there instead to generate necessary funds that the town needs as well as supply a bigger job force. Furthermore, Mayor Johnson questioned the proximity to the college and whether or not it was smart, within code, or the best option to replace the beauty that separates the towns.
The representative responded to the council members comments by reminding them that there are not many areas in town to build more housing; something that is desperately needed. In addition, he reminded the council members that the land had been zoned commercial ‘years ago’ and that a big box store still has not happened due to the inability to provide housing for new employees that may come to the area to sustain a store that size. The Mayor agreed with the representative that maybe it is time to reconsider their previous stance on the matter.
Mayor Johnson asked for a motion on the request. A motion to deny was made and quickly seconded and a unanimous vote to deny was declared.
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 | A guest post by
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I agree with the council's vote on this issue. Yes, an RV park would be good for our communities, however, there are other viable properties for this purpose. The parcel is a prime location that could offer both Snowflake & Taylor many benefits other than an RV park.
I would rather see it developed as a community recreation park that would enhance the health & lives of our families and visitors. It could be developed to serve that purpose as well as provide complementary opportunities for retail trade as well. A business model that would provide these benefits could be developed in concert with the municipalities of Snowflake & Taylor to meet their desired goals and yet be funded by private enterprise/investment.
I am satisfied this is the path we should pursue. The communities of Snowflake, Taylor & Shumway are ideal for developing attractions that enhance our family oriented culture while at the same time growing a strong, resilient local economy.
For example, look what the Willis Farm has done with their Fall Harvest project and the Hatch Farm Family Festival last month. It is just a sample of what can be done to provide & promote our community and our heritage of family values.
I would be happy to serve on a economic development committee to find and promote this and other economic developments that enhance our family centered culture as well as other economic projects compatible with that culture.
Again, thanks to the Town Council for their vote.
-Jim Sanderson