Proposed Alta subdivision called environmentally conscious

ALTA — Heirs to the estate of deceased nature advocate Jody Shrontz say a subdivision planned for her land in Little Cottonwood Canyon will preserve the beautiful trees, wetlands and wildflowers already there.

The Patsey Marley subdivision, if approved by the Alta Town Council, would put up homes near the Grizzly Gulch neighborhood, within view of the ski area's parking lots. Before Shrontz and her husband were killed in a 2003 plane crash, she wanted a resort hotel on the property.

Numerous homes already populate the neighborhood, which is visited by hikers, cyclists and nature photographers during summer months. In the winter, the area competes with several nearby ski resorts to host both locals and vacationers from around the world.

The proposal for more homes has raised the ire of some Alta community members. It also drew a negative recommendation from the Planning Commission because of a lack of water and emergency access.

Planners said they are not against the project, just against it being done irresponsibly.

Attorneys for the Jody Shrontz and S.J. Quinney estate, which holds the 26 acres in question, say they fully accept that responsibility and want the city to do its job responsibly, as well.

"We're still an environmentally conscious family," said estate heir and avid skier Erik Erlingsson. "We are very aware of our impacts. We are proud of the project and the preservation of nature in it."

The family owns homes in Alta, but Erlingsson lives elsewhere so he can work as a medical doctor, he said after an Alta Town Council meeting Thursday.

The subdivision is still probably years away from completion, said attorney Alan Sullivan, who represents the Shrontz estate along with a handful of other attorneys and a public-relations representative.

If built, the subdivision will avoid most of the mature trees in the area, Sullivan said. Home sizes will also be limited, and no homes will be built on slopes of more than 30 percent, according to municipal law. Further, 23 of the 26 acres will be left undeveloped, he said.

The town and developer still have to tussle over the exact number of allowed lots. The estate wants 10, but the Planning Commission's recommendation, forwarded to the council, calls for seven because of issues concerning natural waterways.

The project also has to deal with entities such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy regarding access issues. Currently, the spot is accessible only on foot or with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Alta Town Council will discuss the Planning Commission's proposal at its Sept. 3 meeting. A public hearing on the project is planned for October.

e-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com