By Ginger Kelley

PARADISE -- When someone mentions the Resort and Recreation (RR) zone here not many people know what it is -- but mention Powder Mountain and emotions erupt.

The RR zone is a proposed rezone that could allow developments like Powder Mountain to come in more easily.

Brent Ferrin, developer for Powder Mountain, is seeking approval from the Cache County Council to expand the resort into Cache Valley just north of Paradise. The resort currently sits in Cache County, but the most direct road to the resort is through Weber County, which receives most of the tax revenue from Powder Mountain.

The biggest change the RR zone would allow would be year-round housing, which is currently not permitted, said Mark Tuescher, countywide planner, in a public hearing April 9, 2002. The land is now zoned FR40 which allows about 90-100 seasonal homes said County Councilman H. Craig Petersen at the same meeting.

Many people have voiced concerns about the number of new homes that would be built and used year-round. A rumor was spread that over 800 homes would be built for the development. Tuescher said that number was overinflated and year-round housing would be severely limited.

A draft of the proposed RR zone ordinance states on page three, "in no case shall total coverage of hard surface development, buildings, and structures be greater than 15 percent of the total project area."

But many citizens are voicing concerns and feel they do not have enough information.

Joe Fuhriman, who represents the Cache County Agriculture Advisory Board, said he is deeply concerned about the impact on agricultural land in Cache Valley. There needs to be more research to ensure protection of land, he said.

Paradise Mayor Lee Atwood said there are many issues not addressed like fire and emergency medical services, and how they will be provided to such a remote area in the County.

Atwood said watershed is also a concern because of the history of drought in Utah and they cannot afford to share the watershed that is the main source of water for Paradise.

For or against, the RR zone is a long way out in getting a vote. Many issues still need to be discussed, said County Council Chairman C. Larry Anhder at the April 9,2002 public hearing.

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