Reader comments
Negotiations for SunCrest purchase end abruptly

Bad Idea | 1:15 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Suncrest was a bad idea from the start. I can't even belive Draper city allowed the development. It is on the top of the mountain, the drive up there is scary during the winter (and the summer on the way down), and it is a complete show of greed on Drapers behalf. Draper should unfortunately be stuck with the expenses of fixing the mistake they let happen. That mountain should have been open space for the rest of its existence. I used to drive up there out of curiosity, but now I refuse to because I get tired of seeing all of the dead deer on the side of the road. I feel bad for Drapers citizens, but hopefully this will show Drapers leaders that greed is not always the answer. They allowed this project only to gain more tax dollars, they knew the slope of the mountain was too steep and that the road legally should have never been built up there.

The Government Officails in Draper should be fired!!! They all need to be called out for their involvement in this scheme.

Karma can be a ......

It's true | 7:07 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

And now we don't have to wonder why other cities refused to let it go in up there, and the development had to annex part of Utah County into Salt Lake County just to find a city that would deal with a horrible plan. Genius.

FYI 7:07a.m. | 9:25 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Part of Utah County wasn't annexed into Salt Lake County. Draper City lies in two different counties. A portion is in Utah County and a portion is in Salt Lake County.

Comments continue below

Fair way to deal | 9:40 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Although firing the officials that allowed this to happen sounds like a great idea, after 8+ years it's almost a guarantee that most if not all of thoses officials have moved on and left their predecessors to deal with the mess. Those who chose to live on the mountain are just as guilty and greedy as the City. Is there really a fair way to deal with this?

Seriously? | 9:55 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

"Those who chose to live on the mountain are just as guilty and greedy as the City." Are you serious? Wanting to live on a mountain is greedy? I'm assuming you are referring to those who moved to Suncrest hoping for a big jump in property values as the development was completed. Isn't it a good idea to take property values into consideration when buying a house? I'm sure you did the last time you bought a house.

dug | 10:18 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

the truth is, suncrest is NOT plagued by geological issues, but rather, a shady developer used substandard materials to build some of the roads.

the truth is, no more deer are killed at suncrest than any other mountain community. i have lived there 3.5 years. never even a close call with a deer.

the drive is not any scarier than driving the freeway in the snow, and is quite a bit more scenic.

i just don't understand the vitriol. really, it's just a mountain community, with political issues like any other community, shady developers like any other community, great citizens and a few greedy (that is, if hoping for a return on investment is greedy) speculators, like ANY OTHER COMMUNITY.

how are YOUR roads? perfect? how is YOUR city council? totally easy to work with?

we're just a normal community that happens to be on a big hill. i don't think we're the first, and i'm pretty sure we won't be the last.

What?! | 10:21 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

The residents of Suncrest are in no way greedy or guilty for building on the mountain. Wanting better property values is a wise decision when it comes to your most valuable asset. I don't live in Suncrest but I don't feel the residents that do live there deserve to be called greedy or guilty. There is nothing wrong with wanting to live in a very pristine community. I hope they can get a new developer soon and continue building beautiful homes up there.

Back up a second... | 11:20 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

This is a wonderful community that needs the right developer to fix it. This is not the first maountainside development in this state. Who are the "Raddon Brothers" anyway? What have they ever done in the mountains or residential communities? Our city is right to be wary of a company with a thin resume. We don't want to make the same mistakes as before.

Angry Suncrest Resident | 11:23 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

The Draper city council needs to be held accountable for the way this entire situation has been handled. As any business owner in Draper can attest, this city has been abusive about using 100% of any street and sidewalk bonds just to spend it. The original Suncrest developers were forced to spend millions to modify hillside grading and roads multiple times because the city changed their requirements over and over. How is a developer supposed to be profitable when dealing with politicians like that? I am not shocked--NOT--that the city sprang a surprise on the new buyer at the last minute. I live in Suncrest. I bought in Suncrest because of the location and the community amenities that were promised to me. That makes me greedy? What planet are you from?! I drive up and over that hill everyday and I feel safer than on SR-92 through Highland and Lehi--especially during a storm. Suncrest has a lot of potential and the city of Draper needs to stop treating the residents of Suncrest like second class citizens. We already pay higher taxes and utility fees. What more do they want from us?!

fyi | 11:28 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008

You're right, it's still in Utah County. My bad. But still, the cities in Utah County wouldn't allow it. That's why Draper had to expand and straddle both counties.

Property values? | 12:06 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

You bought into Suncrest because you thought your property values were going to stay good/rise? Really? Suncrest? As a two time home buyer in the surrounding area while Suncrest has existed, I firmly believe Suncrest was always a shady buy at best. Tiny roads, steep and poor grading, thin lots, no side walks, poor landscaping, no backyards, terrible commute, schooling issues, etc., etc. ad nauseam. Suncrest as a grand mountain community is and always will be a pipedream. It will forever be plaqued by problems ranging from layout, grading, maintenance, commercial needs (gas, food, etc.), and poor property upkeep. Suncrest has NEVER been a sound real estate buy.

mountain | 12:26 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

too bad suncrest didn't take into account the problems each and every "mountain community" in the western u.s. has had to deal with. If the residents have issues, maybe they should have just built on good old solid ground down in the valley. Apparently they haven't figured out that they can't escape the problems of the valley by living higher up on the mountain or in some small agricultural community. The California mentality just permeates everything and I for one wouldn't mind if it went back there to stay.

Angry Suncrest Resident | 1:59 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

You guys are killing me! Maybe you should ask some Suncrest residents how they feel about living there before you make statements like "Tiny roads, steep and poor grading, thin lots, no side walks, poor landscaping, no backyards, terrible commute, schooling issues, etc., etc. ad nauseam." and
"If the residents have issues, maybe they should have just built on good old solid ground down in the valley. Apparently they haven't figured out that they can't escape the problems of the valley by living higher up on the mountain or in some small agricultural community. The California mentality just permeates everything and I for one wouldn't mind if it went back there to stay." Again I ask, what planet are you people from?! Almost all of the problems in Suncrest are between the developer and the city. The residents, for the most part, love it up there. Next time you feel the need to post your ignorant ideas, you might want to check the facts first. When I read comments like this, I have to wonder if the people making them have ever been outside of this state? Wake up...

dug | 2:16 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

"As a two time home buyer in the surrounding area while Suncrest has existed, I firmly believe Suncrest was always a shady buy at best. Tiny roads, steep and poor grading, thin lots, no side walks, poor landscaping, no backyards, terrible commute, schooling issues, etc., etc. ad nauseam."

you must be looking at a different suncrest than the one i live in. the roads are not wide enough to turn a team of oxen around on, and yet, they seem wide enough to drive on. and i don't even know what you mean by thin lots. my lot is .4 acres, twice the size i had in pleasant grove. we have sidewalks, thank you. my commute is quite pleasant, and my kids are very happy in their schools.

our problems are the typical problems of typical communities. stop acting like you're such a genius for living somewhere else. given all our issues, i would buy there again tomorrow (and at a bit of a discount, i guess).

Happy Mountain Dweller | 2:27 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

I don't know what you guys are talking about! My Suncrest neighborhood is so much nicer than the valley neighborhood I moved from. I have access to great schools, the grocery store is closer than ever, and shopping is just as close. I wonder why non-Suncrest residents are so quick to label Suncrest as a bad investment and a horrible place to live? Is there a selfish motive behind that? Hmmm.

Yep | 2:47 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

I've driven through SunCrest many many times over the past couple years, had friends who lived up there shortly...it feels completely out of place and interferes with the wildlife for sure. That's the main thing. But the roads have been horrible and are way too narrow in many places. Try driving through that hole of a place in the winter. Wow. It is a nice looking community but I would never in a million years buy there. That's about as sound of an investment as handing over $350k extra to the government to bail out more idiot execs.

Draper Stinks | 3:01 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

What a surprise! Draper City springing something on someone at the last minute?! Anyone who has ever done business in Draper knows this is exactly how they operate. They pull this kind of thing all day long. The only difference is now they NEED business, where before business needed them. No one will ever finish Suncrest until Draper City steps up financially and morally. That means the games have to end.

So what else is new? | 5:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

There once was a crooked developer, who like many other crooked developers done business in Draper City. Then one day, like many other days, the City leaders say, hey crooked developers, can you pay before you play.

Well of course we can City leaders, just show us the way and how much to pay, and with no intention to stay.

Okay says the City leaders, and its nice we have the taxpayers who will pay, hurray!

Do you remember? | 9:32 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Do any of you that posted a negative comment realize that some of the most beautiful mountain communities in the world have natural landscape (Park City), SOME small lots (Parleys Summit), deer that are free to roam (and yes, may get hit by a car, but, I've seen them on I-15 - maybe we should shut it down?), roads that are steep (Parley's or any high east bench road), no sidewalks (aka natural sideswell on the PRIVATE roads), property value increases (doesn't everybody want this?)? Some of you are absolutely ridiculous to be commenting about this issue. Who wouldn't want the natural serenity, peacefulness, diversity (don't say this word in Utah!), wildlife, seclusion, beautiful scenery and less polluted life than the valleys offer? When you buy on a mountain, there are going to be some issues - don't you all understand this? What about those on the Draper east bench with the fire last summer? Didn't you think that if you had a mountain behind you something could happen? IF YOU DON'T LIVE THERE, don't make such harsh criticism as we don't force you to drive through our "hole". STAY OUT! Draper's politics have been problematic for many years!

Draper City Council Geniuses | 11:03 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Draper City Council really needs to figure out what they are doing. Do the citizens of Draper know how many businesses and their tax dollars have been run out of Draper? I have a great idea....you have someone willing to take a huge risk and acutally alieve the tax payers of some responsiblity of a project none of them support anyway, and you decide to throw a bunch of requirements (city infrastructure related)on them so they run away. Now the city will get to foot the entire bill. Great job geniuses!

To the monitor | 11:22 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

Why is it alright for someone to refer to a "crooked" developer but it is not acceptable to refer to the Draper City officals as intellectually challenged?? If you are going to monitor at least be consistant about it.

MOUNTAIN | 2:14 p.m. Dec. 18, 2008

Get your feet back on firm ground, morally, spiritually, financially and physically. Just look at the greater LA area and it is quite obvious by what I refer to as the California mentality. It is a mentality of greed, speculation and growth without care of consequence. It lives and breathes here in Utah and all one must do to see it is look out their window. Crooked developers thrive because of the blinders we wear called greed and avarice. Who really "needs" a home with more rooms than we have children, or a garage large enough to house all our "toys" and a backyard in the mountains so we can have our own natural zoo? Our forefathers got along just fine with a small home on a lot just big enough to raise a family and a garden. I don't hear them complain. They express nothing but gratitude. Why can't we do the same?

dug | 10:41 p.m. Dec. 18, 2008

mountain, so you don't have a problem with suncrest, you have a problem with modernity, you don't like PEOPLE anymore. i hear bo gritz has a place reserved for you somewhere.

Mountain communities... | 12:59 p.m. Dec. 20, 2008

Mountain communities always have more issues to deal with than valley communities... it's just fact. The bottom line is that building and living at higher elevations and on steeper grades is more problematic.

It's not that these issues can't be overcome, but there is a price to be paid for "living above it all" as Suncrest residences are learning.

Having a more modest valley home and a mountain cabin... personally, I think that's the better way to go than living full-time in a mountain community.

But to each his own...

Living in SunCrest is cool!!! | 11:34 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I like SunCrest!!!!

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