Residents assail plans to incorporate Aspen

DANIEL, Wasatch County — As an Arizona developer begins making plans for a town he intends to call Aspen, Utah, future potential residents complain that if they had it their way, the community would never incorporate.

Dean Sellers, 60, wants to turn an 8,366-acre section of unincorporated Wasatch County into a world-class community and ski resort — something that would give Park City; Vail, Colo., and Aspen, Colo., a run for their money.

The multibillion-dollar venture could happen without public funding, because Sellers says he and his partners can build the town themselves. Sellers owns 5,700 acres already and says he meets Utah requirements for incorporating as a town.

To him, it's a win-win for the state and its residents.

But some residents of what Sellers wants to call Aspen, Utah, are upset about the prospect of becoming part of Sellers' town.

The idea has kept Dot Zetko, a 20-year resident of Tammy Lane, up at night.

Although she recognizes that a landowner generally has the right to do what he pleases with his land, Zetko would like to stop Aspen from incorporating.

Zetko's log-cabin style house sits on three acres just off U.S. 40. Hers is among more than 50 houses located in three subdivisions in the area Sellers proposes to incorporate: Storm Haven, Tammy Lane and Crazy Acres.

"It seems like he's trying to force a town on people who don't want it," Zetko said. "We don't need it."

There's no shortage of residents who say they moved into Daniels Canyon, located in unincorporated Wasatch County, because they didn't want to belong to a town. They like being out of the way, and they like the seclusion that comes with being out of the way.

Josh and Myia Neilson, who are planning to build a house on the spot where their mobile home now stands, say they wonder what will happen to them if the town incorporates.

If Sellers wants to build a world-class town, they want to know if they will fit in.

"These are trailers," Myia Neilson said, noting the obvious.

Some houses in the area are the mobile variety, but others are traditional single-family homes.

Josh Neilson said the logical assumption is that Sellers, who would get to pick the initial pool of mayoral and City Council candidates, could have homes condemned if they don't meet his vision for Aspen.