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County Council approves Powder Mtn. rezone 6 to 1 By
Toby G. Hayes LOGAN - Powder Mountain got one step closer to becoming a major destination resort as the Cache County Council voted 6 to 1 for a zone change Tuesday night. But the council's approval didn't come without a fight. During the council meeting protesters gathered outside the chambers. The council doesn't allow signs inside, so protesters stood at the door. Signs such as "Don't pave our future," and "We want Cache, not cash," filled the windows. After the vote, some 20 protesters confronted councilman Layne Beck in the parking lot, questioning his vote in favor of the zone change. This was the first land to be zoned under the new Resort Recreation classification. Powder Mountain developers, Brent Ferrin Associates of Park City, intend to construct golf courses, hotels, restaurants, commercial shops, condominiums and residential homes in the mountains south of Avon. "Up to this point we have talked about an ordinance and not any specific development," said Council chairman C. Larry Anhder. "That's the next step in the process of what will be allowed to be developed." Of the seven council members, John Hansen, who represents residents in southern Cache Valley, was the only one to vote against the rezone. "I will side with my constituents; people who have come to the meetings and made themselves heard," said Hansen. "That's my obligation as an elected official." Powder Mountain is already a developed ski area, contended most council members. "It's been there for years," said Councilman Darrell L. Gibbons. "I wonder why there is so much concern from citizens for a zone that would give the county more control." The land was previously zoned Forest Recreation-40 (FR-40), which allows only one structure per 40-acre parcel. Under the resort zone, the county must oversee the projects development, including the implementation of services. "The most important thing is we gain control as the county," said Councilman Cory Yeates. "Annexing this property into the recreation zone is the fairest thing to do." As development plans move forward, the protesters don't plan to stop. "Far bigger monsters than Brent Ferrin have been slain," said Jim Steitz, president of the Ecological Coalition of Students. "We will not allow this development to happen." Ferrin already has buyers lined up, but must wait three weeks because he doesn't yet own the property. Ferrin and Powder Mountain owner Alvin Cobabe agreed to rezone the property together, Cobabe knowing he would eventually sell the land for the right price.
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