League of Women Voters’ candidates review
This report courtesy of Save Not Pave:
Cottonwood Heights League of Women Forum Review
On Tuesday, September 28th, Save Not Pave attended the League of Womens forum held at the CH City Hall. We got the answers to your burning questions regarding pedestrian and bike safety, traffic mitigation, commuter alternatives, and UDOTs LCC EIS plan. Your homework is done!
It is so important that you read or listen below to find out each candidate's position on matters that will affect our community in the near future. You will find a link to the League of Women Youtube video recording as well as the time stamp when candidates spoke about each issue. We hope this vital information about our upcoming election will help you choose candidates that are willing to fight for our safety and our sustainability.
Next Event:
Sandy City League of Women Mayoral Candidate Forum
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Concert Hall, Waterford School Campus
5:30-6:30PM Candidate Meet and Greet
6:30-8:00PM Moderated Q&A Discussion
1480 East 9400 SSandy, UT, 84093
Please submit questions to League of Women HERE
Also, if you would like to stay updated with Cottonwood Heights general plan and city priorities please visit ch.utah.gov/community/connect/emails to subscribe to emails.
CH Mayoral CandidatesStance On Gondola
Maile Evans: No
Eric Kraan: No
Mike Weichers: No
Ed Schwartz: No
Tim Hallbeck: No
CH Mayoral Candidates Issues with growth of LCC and Wasatch. Their Plan
Maile Evans: Construction of the gondola itself should be built maybe in 30-40 yrs
Preserve the wildlife and we need to protect environmental health
Limit Idling
Weekends of ski season, you cannot get out if you live on Wasatch BlvdScrap the two alternatives that are given. There needs to be something more persuasive to us as residents as well as preserving the canyons.
Maybe do a shuttle like they do in Zion. Less damage to the canyon and they can take tighter turns.
Wasatch needs to have bike lanes and not the small 22 inch bike lanes. They need to be wider.Eric Kraan37:24 Since 2017 I was sitting at a city council meeting when they advanced Wasatch Blvd from 2 to 5 lanes. I was aghast. Since then I have championed and have been the sole voice in preventing that expansion. I have been the first person to voice a speed limit to be 35MPH. I've been dedicated to knocking on doors about this issue.I want to build a better community and that is not about building bigger, faster roads. It’s not helping private investments and private businesses. It’s about working to make our homes feel safe. About working to help our streets to feel safe. It’s about our kids being able to walk across Wasatch Blvd. It’s about us working together over and over with state, county, and regional agencies to actually build a better community. I have been doing that for 4yrs and I intend to do it for another 4yrs as your mayor.
Mike Weichers (Minute/second 32:09):
Ingress/egress is important to our residents
Speed Limit on Wasatch blvd.Listen to the Residents
Maybe work on enhanced bussing
Commit to listen
Put up a couple of other stoplights
No preconceived notions of what I want personallyEd
Schwartz (Minute/second 39:12):
I am shocked that it is one of the final proposals. There’s money to be made, so we’re going to to put it up there. Does not make sense for our community at all. A gondola their budgeting 500 million dollars for and it will go over 1 billion. No way. This is a serious issue for us but also a price we pay for living in one of the most beautiful places in the world.We have to balance that.I like what was said to scrap all the proposals and going back to ground zero. We need to bring in a fleet of electric busses to start from Nov-Mar. Do that for several years and see how it works. We have to start slowly by reducing the speed limit, by looking at proper transit recommendations. Let's bring people to the table. That goes back to transparency in government. The mayor needs to be the advocate for the people of the city and hear the voices of the city. As mayor, that is what I will do.Tim Hallbeck36:20 Agrees with Weichers and Evans. Big Supporter of Save Not Pave.Use modern technology like the ubers and the Lyfts. Take advantage of that. More carpooling.
Increased bus service
New idea, why not snowmobile service?
CH Mayoral Candidates on Parking Structure at La Caille and the gravel pit. Also, how would you address the housing density issue?
Maile Evans (Minute/second41:15)
The hubs are an important issue because we need them for the skiers to go up the canyons. I would like to see a hub where the shopko is on 94th S. Divert traffic down Highland. That would be a little easier and on transportation. It would also take traffic off of Wasatch Blvd. In regards to high density, this city has seen growth. Growth is inevitable. Residents are very concerned about it. I do not agree with it in residential areas and most people bought their home for single family homes in their communities.In order to have high density and multiple use homes should be on streets that have easy access on Bengal, Highland and Fort Union. We need to look at affordable housing.Let’s talk about ADUsI do not like ADUs.
Eric Kraan (Minute/second 45:28)
We are the city between the canyons, not the parking lot between the canyons. Housing and growth... I propose we replace our current zoning code with form base zoning to induce incremental growth throughout the city rather than acute changes in very specific areas like Ft Union Blvd. This would actually create more congestion and worse conditions throughout the city instead of dispersing and sprinkling growth throughout our neighborhoods. This type of incremental growth does not require more public liabilities or facilities. It is more adaptable to the needs and wants of residents so that you can actually keep the kind of character you want in your neighborhood rather than be changed by the growth. Regarding the PPD, being proposed for Ft Union Blvd, it’s expensive, lengthy, and has proven to fall short of reducing the goal stated in the master plans for either Ft Union or the gravel pit. Being a legislative process, the PPD also creates a systematic breach in the legislative body in to our administrative duties, a clear violation of the integrity of our form of government council manager.I believe we can do better and I look forward to working for four years as your mayor to improve these conditions.
Mike Weichers (Minute/second 47:16)
We listen to our residents and what’s important to them . We talk about how we don’t want people driving into our city. We have to get them out of their cars somehow, but where are we going to put them? We have to create parking and share it with Sandy City. We have to find solutions. The way we do that is come together and recognize that we have differing opinions. That’s okay, but at the same time we find solutions to problems. That’s what I’ve done in my career. From owning my own business and running large departments is finding solutions and bringing people together and not being divisive.
High Density I am 100% not a proponent of high density. The Gravel pit offers an opportunity for development, but we have to remember CH is a suburb.I am not in favor of CH becoming an urban extension to SLC. I want to keep our identity, our quality of life and how we live as a suburb is important and I will fight for those issues. The one thing we have to be really careful about is zoning. We have to understand what zoning is in our master plan and general plan. Let’s look at how that would affect developers.
Ed Schwartz (Minute/second 47:10)
The parking development, I’m not an expert in this arena and one of the first things I would do is bring people to the table to get immersed in the issue. I have opinions, but I do not have the expertise to properly disseminate information on that issue. It’s a major issue and we need to do something about it. I would like to convein a summit of local leaders and groups for proper transit inthis area and listen to what they say. Let’s come up with a solution. We have to look at everything through solution based eyes not just we’re going to do this.
High density housing, it’s horrific what’s happening in Cottonwood heights. It’s been with no rhyme or reason. WE need to have mayor and council that is an advocate for the people with projects that are coming in that make sense. Proper size, not to inhibit traffic, not ot create more irresponsible development. We need to get people to the table to discuss this. We have to have a conversation and it needs to be transparent.
Tim Hallbeck (Minute/second 43:35)
A lot of people live here because it is single family residential homes. We need to preserve it. We don’t need to put in high density housing at all. We have artiral roadways going North and South and East and West. What we don’t have is any kind railway. We don’t have anything going up Highland, 1300, or Wasatch.Imagine if there was lightrail along these roads . What if it connected Little Cottonwood Canyon to Saratoga Springs. We have Front Runner that connect to the airport. Instead of spending 550 million dollars on a gondola, this is the kind of thing we should be investing in.
District #4
Unfortunately, the most important question that should have been directed to District #4 regarding Wasatch Blvd, particularly because the road bisects this district, was not asked due to technical difficulties and time constraints. However, I have personally contacted each of these candidates by phone, email and talked to them in person to get their opinion on what their plan and solution would be for Wasatch Blvd. I only received a response from Candidate Ellen Birrell. If I hear from candidates Walker and Kim, I will update you on their position.
I encourage you to view the League of Women meeting link to view other questions asked of these candidates. Candidate Birrell has included her position and plan on the future of Wasatch Blvd, LCC and Cottonwood Heights below.
CH Candidate District #4Stance On Gondola
Ellen Birrell: No
Erinie Kim: No Answer
Lee Anne Walker: No Answer
CH Candidate District #4Issues with growth of LCCEllen BirrellThere are sustainable and affordable improvements for SR 210 including both the 2.7 mile stretch of SR 210 Wasatch Blvd through Cottonwood Heights as well as the 8 miles of SR 210 within Little Cottonwood Canyon. All three of UDOT’s preferences are major build outs that are extreme and unnecessary. They line the pockets of a few at the expense of the public’s love of pastoral foothills and pristine canyon.
Below are my suggestions for improvement without major asphalting or building expansion or new parking garages.
UDOT's preferred "Gondola with La Caille parking garage" AND "Enhanced Busing with PPSL (Peak Period Shoulder Lanes)"
A pause in the LCC EIS process is necessary in order to phase in solution(s) that meet and exceed UDOT's stated purpose and need of reducing vehicular traffic within Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) by 30% by 2050.
SOLUTION: The key to successfully overcoming Level of Service E and F on SR 210 is a PHASED approach.
Phasing in one or more of the following between 2022 through 2027 will remove more than 30% of the vehicles on SR 210 during UDOT's identified peak winter periods. This exceeds UDOT"s stated goal of reducing vehicular traffic within Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) by 30% by 2050.
UDOT's review, prioritization and systematic adoption of the following remedies would create the least negative impact on the well-being of local residents, visiting canyon recreationalists, local businesses, wild creatures and the entire natural infrastructure, and is the most cost-effective use of tax-payer dollars:
1. Restriction of Single occupancy private vehicles 8-10am & 2-4pm on peak period days. Except for certain local residents of the canyon and other emergency personnel, single-occupancy vehicles are restricted from entering LCC during the 2-hour peak period and powder mornings. Single occupancy vehicles represent over 30% of the vehicles on any given winter morning. Out of 365 calendar days each year, the peak period and powder mornings represent only 8% of the year. This is manageable.
2. Smart Phone App. Immediate development and adoption of a new public/private (UTA, UDOT, USFS, private shuttle companies, UBER, LYFT, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, Alta) smart phone app that communicates in real time pertinent condition of roads, transit, parking, AND location of Slug Lanes, SLCO "Car Pool & Transit" lots (aka "Park & Rides"), resort and trail-head lot availability, etc. Likewise, any restrictions currently or within upcoming 24 hour period would be highlighted.
3. Addition of Slug Lanes to 9400 S. Highland and 6200 S. parking lots and any new lots as they are phased in. Slug lanes connect single occupancy motorists to facilitate car-pooling. (See example: http://www.slug-lines.com/slugging/about_slugging.asp)
4. Rename Park and Ride lots to "Car Pool & Transit" lots.
5. Add "Car Pool & Transit" locations within underutilized existing parking areas within strip malls within Draper, Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Midvale, Holladay and Millcreek. This enables canyon users to leave their vehicles closer to where they embark, lowering overall VMT (vehicle miles travelled).
6. Improve UTA bus service. Operate UTA buses at higher frequency, direct service from more numerous locations to each of the four ski resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
7. New UTA public facility at Snowbird, Alta, Solitude and Brighton. Structures would provide warmth, inexpensive/season-long lockers, tables, restrooms where individuals and families can eat their sack lunches, etc. instead of everyone using their private vehicle for such things.
8. Build tire check stations at mouth of BCC and LCC AND improve local decal program.
9. Ski resorts impose parking fees that incentivize car-pooling and transit use.
10. Ski resorts can communicate with and incentivize out-of-state lodging guests to utilize shuttles from the airport, and offer shuttles to Wasatch Front and Back ski locations so that out -of-state canyon users bring fewer ill-equipped rental vehicles into the canyons.Ernie KimNo CommentLee Anne WalkerNo CommentCH Candidate District #4Wasatch ExpansionEllen BirrellAfter careful consideration for all stakeholders who access Little Cottonwood Canyon, anticipating the growth of the Salt Lake Valley population, and north/south commuters from Sandy and Draper, the SR 210 Wasatch Blvd 2.7 stretch from the High-T (La Caille) intersection to Ft. Union Blvd (mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon) needs to serve all users.
It needs better egress/ingress for the eleven intersecting streets.
It needs slower speeds so that motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can have a better chance of coming through collisions alive. Safety!
We need to improve our air quality by lowering Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT).
Residential areas can be protected from the urban sprawl and blight that will come from adding asphalt and lanes which encourage higher speeds by UTA starting a enhanced non-stop bus line on existing north/south arterials of Highland Drive, and possibly 1300 East going forward. This north/south express service will lessen rush hour congestion for workers, patients, student and cultural venue visitors going to U of U/Research Park area as well as to eastern downtown SLC. (See diagram)
A phased in approach is called for.
Instead of UDOT and the Wasatch Front Regional Council’s (WFRC) current 2050 RTP (See 2050 RTP Appendix L: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fGDtnPDLEO8CT-FU_XFfKPk1RadUVOeL/view) plans to keep adding more lanes to 1300 East and to Highland Drive and the build-out of Wasatch Blvd, the immediate phasing in of viable transit that collects southeast SL Valley commuters at strategic locations and whisks them, non-stop northbound to destinations such as the East Bench Cultural District and eastern SLC. Destination options need to be modeled but will likely include a central downtown SLC terminus and the existing U of U/Research Park Shutlle Stop.
Private vehicle commuters MUST experience LOS of E and F on these north/south arteries in order for Utahns to shift from their single-occupancy driving habit to incorporating transit into their mobility.
To build out Wasatch Blvd for projected 2050 traffic needs in the future, induces higher VMT and disincentives transportation alternatives.
Covid matters
UDOT is using 2018 models which projected a heightening Draper population and insists Wasatch Blvd must have more vehicular lanes. UTA's past "express service" for north/south commuters stopped along the way and did not prioritize movement of bus. Ridership was/is poor.
A year of Covid 19 has brought more home-officing and reduced Wasatch Blvd commuter traffic. BRT or EPB (Express Priority Bus) strategy could be phased in starting immediately. For example, Highland Drive could be phased in sooner and 1300 East later if necessary.
SOLUTION: East Draper, Sandy, Granite and south Cottonwood Hts commuters could collect at 9400 South Highland Drive terminus (on north edge of Dimple Dell) and be whisked by non-carbon emitting BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) or Express Bus north along Highland Drive to I-215 to Foothill Drive and on to Research Park, U of U and west downtown SLC stops -- all on perimeter of existing roadways. This would preclude the need for new roads or a bridge or road through Dimple Dell Park, which is heavily opposed. See https://www.facebook.com/dimpledellpreservation/
Additionally or alternatively could be BRT or Express Bus on 1300 East with a 12300 South terminus.
This idea:
· Saves money because it puts BRT or EPB on existing arterials with less new infrastructure required
· No (few) right of way challenges
· Flexibility of fleets, drivers, routes
· Does not blight residential neighborhoods
Ernie Kim: No Comment
Lee Anne Walker: No Comment