From Deseret News archives:

Town thwarts plans for Aspen resort — for now

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007 12:20 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
CHARLESTON, Wasatch County — Leaders in the town of Daniel decided Monday to accept for review an annexation petition from a group of residents who don't want to belong to the proposed town of Aspen, Utah.

The decision, though a preliminary step, was met with applause by more than 110 residents of Daniel and unincorporated Wasatch County who attended the meeting.

Kasey Bateman, a resident who sponsored the annexation petition, said he's relieved by the council's decision.

"My hard work has finally paid off," said Bateman, who, along with this wife and neighbors, circulated petitions to area residents Nov. 8 at 5:50 a.m. and submitted them to Daniel's recorder at 9:30 a.m.

That beat Arizona developer Dean Sellers' incorporation petition for Aspen by seven hours.

Sellers wants to build the town of Aspen on 8,366 acres in Daniels Canyon. After 35 years doing residential development in Arizona, he said, he wants this town to be his last hurrah, a chance for him to, as he put it, go "riding into the sunset on a white horse." He says his plans for Aspen, Utah, would give Aspen, Colo., Vail, Colo., and Park City a run for their money.

Sellers' town, which would include an 18-hole golf course and ski resort, would be built on grazing land above Daniels Canyon.

Story continues below
Many of the residents of the three subdivisions — Crazy Acres, Tammy Lane and Storm Haven — that comprise all of Sellers' potential population, are unhappy with the prospect of Sellers' town.

They say that's not because they are anti-development. But they don't like the way Sellers has tried to sell his town.

The Nov. 8 petition was the residents' third one, and it halted Aspen's progress.

To incorporate, Sellers would need at least 100 residents inside the Aspen, Utah, boundaries. If the town of Daniel accepts the annexation petition, Sellers wouldn't have the required population.

Utah code says that a county's governing body must deny a petition for incorporation if an annexation petition for the same land is pending.

The Wasatch County Council denied Sellers' incorporation petition Nov. 21.

So Aspen's future fell into the hands of the mayor and four councilmen of a town yet to hit its second birthday.

Bateman, during his presentation to the town council, said he has a majority of residents on his side.

"(They) would like to be in the town of Daniel because of shared ideals and a shared vision," he said. "The town was incorporated to conserve rural and agricultural character and sense of community."

Sellers' attorney, Steven Clyde, has called the annexation petition "sloppy" and "riddled with deficiencies."

Recent comments

I'm not against growth either but the plans, or lack of, that Aspen,...

Ryan | Dec. 6, 2007 at 12:09 p.m.

Mike you say you support the development and it will be good for...

jmdspk | Dec. 4, 2007 at 8:08 p.m.

I grew up in Heber Valley and I recently visited family there for...

Sheldon | Dec. 4, 2007 at 7:58 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...

The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.

It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...

It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...

Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...

I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...

Water wars in Snake Valley

The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...

It looks to me like special treatment.

Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...

I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...

Advertisements
Advertisement