Recap of 5.12.22 YNC Meeting

• University of Utah information meeting today, Monday, May 16, from 4-6 p.m. regarding new construction at Research Park.  Williams Building, Room 223A, 295 Chipeta Way, 
• Request a ballot for the June 28 Democratic Primary to vote for the only two candidates vying for the District 9 State Senate seat (Derek Kitchen and Dr. Jen Plumb, both Democrats). The winner will determine who represents Yalecrest. The Democratic Primary is an open primary so unaffiliated and Republican voters can vote, but must request a ballot. Go to https://slco.org/clerk/elections/2022-primary-election-party-affiliation/ for a ballot. There won't be a vote or election in November for this office. 

Minutes from 5.12.22 YNC meeting

• https://www.derekkitchen.com/home-top-mentor
• https://www.jenplumb.com

2.  Stanley Holmes, a resident of Capitol Hill, presented a video
     explaining why he switched out his turf in his park strip for rocks 
     as a water conservation measure. Although other cities in Utah permit turf removal  
     for "zero-scaping," Salt Lake does not and Holmes faces fines of $25 per day.
     Holmes reported that City Councilman Chris Wharton is looking into revisioning    
     the ordinance. 



3.  City Councilman Dan Dugan devoted his presentation exclusively
     to the mayor's proposed 2022-23 budget. He said it's important for
     the city to compensate its employees fairly and defended the 4.9%
     tax increase as well as the addition of new positions like the 19 new
     Park Rangers that are patrolling westside parks.  He noted that the
     Library proposed adding a branch office in Ballpark where
     no Library services currently exist.  The new Library budget
     represents a 16% increase over 2021-22. The mayor is asking for
     $424 million, an increase over the $349 million budget of 2021-22.
     Some $143 million from property taxes and sales taxes will go
     into into city parks, trails, open space, and other livability and
     sustainability initiatives. Police will receive $20.5 million more which
     will help finance 30 new full-time positions. Other major initiatives
     include $21 million for affordable housing; a boost in property taxes
     to fund an $80 million bond -- $27 million which will be spent
     on redevelopment of the Glendale water park and seven
     neighborhood parks. (Note: The City awarded a
     $425,000 CIP grant in 2017 to improve the Miller Bird Refuge and
     Nature Park in Yalecrest, but there is no mention of funds 
     for MBR in the budget.)
     
     The City Council will hold public hearings on the budget, May 17 and June 7.
     Comments can be sent to District Councilman Dan Dugan at  
     Daniel.dugan@slcgov.com or council.comments@slcgov.com.

4. New 5G Towers in Yalecrest
1458 E 900 S.                        
 
Corner of 1500 East and Michigan


     
     Residents notified the YNC about the first installations of 30-foot 5G towers
     in Yalecrest.  They have been placed at 900 South and at the corner of 1500 East
     and Michigan. City codes require cell towers to be installed a minimum of 15 feet
     from trees, yet measurements taken by the YNC and forwarded to city engineering
     showed the towers within the 15 foot margin. The YNC has asked City
     Engineering to disclose where future 5G towers will be placed in Yalecrest and
     if the neighborhood's historic lamp posts will be replaced.  The city indicated that
     the new towers were co-located on street lights.



5. Affordable Housing Overlay.  Janet Hemming, chair of YNC, appeared at the May 11 Planning Commission Public Hearing and while she spoke in favor of affordable housing, she expressed concerns or opposition to some elements in the plan. Four other community council chairs or representatives from Fairpark, Sugar House, Sunnyside/Foothill and Ball Park -- also spoke against the new plan. The plan would impact Yalecrest and other established neighborhoods by permitting developers to demolish single family homes in established neighborhoods and build 3-4 row houses, cottages, fourplexes, triplexes and/or duplexes on the same property. A portion of the units would be guaranteed for low income housing through a 30 year deed restriction.  Criticism was leveled at the lack of an enforcement policy as well as provisions that would benefit developers by removing design review for Planned Developments as well as fast-track AHO units, leaving little time for public comment or review.  Here's the Salt Lake Tribune article about the hearing:
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/05/13/slcs-push-more-affordable/

6. SLCPD Report from Det. Sam Fallows. April crime statistics for District 6: 125 total crimes reported; 25 larcenies and thefts; 5 burglaries,1 aggravated assault; 6 assaults, 3 vandalism, 17 traffic accidents.




7. Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park. The chair and vice chair of the YNC met with Tyler Murdock, Deputy Director of Public Lands, on April 28 to walk through the park and discuss concerns and areas of improvement.  Months prior, PL had accepted the YNC's request for a moratorium regarding tree-cutting and the use of herbicides and pesticides until an evaluation can be made. Murdock supports a revegetation plan for Miller but specifics have not yet been determined. Other issues include clean-out of stream debris, halting soil erosion on the West Bank, new tree and vegetation plantings, organic alternatives to pesticides, protection of the historic walls, general park maintenance and clean-up, improvement of the trail surface, bird-friendly polices and practices, control of off-leash dogs, and water stream flow in the summer.  YNC has asked the city to begin releasing some of the $425,000 CIP grant money awarded to YNC resident Jim Webster in 2017. 
     
     
Your YNC officers:  Janet (Jan) Hemming, Chair; Jim Webster and Rick Oliver, co Vice chairs; Josh Stewart, Secretary, and Libby Peterson, Treasurer.