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SANDY -- There's a move afoot that would allow Sandy to annex Snowbird Ski Resort.
A Utah senator introduced a bill Tuesday that would allow the resort to be annexed. Both Snowbird and Sandy like the idea, but Salt Lake County isn't so thrilled.
"We were a little surprised to start with, but yes, we were very interested," Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan says. "I think this will be a great compliment to the city."
Dolan says Snowbird's president approached the city about three weeks ago. Administrators jumped on board as soon as they heard Snowbird's assessed value: $154 million, plus hotel and sales taxes.
"I think Sandy residents would be excited to have it part of the city. I know that many of our residents use Snowbird and love to go up there," Dolan said.
Snowbird's general manager says he's been thinking about this for the last couple years. His resort has grown dissatisfied with Salt Lake County's services.
"We've just seen some changes where things aren't quite as efficient, things aren't quite as effective, and of course there have been some tax increases along the way," general manager Bob Bonar said.
Worries about tax increases come as Salt Lake County starts charging unincorporated areas for policing, but the county doesn't see how Snowbird could function without them.
"If Sandy annexed Snowbird, what would happen with public safety in the canyons -- fire, policing, search and rescue issues that we face on a daily basis?" Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said.
Sandy says it's capable of handling public safety; if not, they'd just contract out to Salt Lake County.
Corroon says he's also concerned about how Sandy can annex a resort that's not contiguous to the city. However, the language in Senate Bill 244 takes care of that.
The bill states: "A resort area is contiguous to an annexing municipality if the annexing municipality and the resort area are separated only by land controlled or owned by the federal government." A Forest Service map shows that is true.
"It's a very positive thing for our community," Dolan said.
According to Dolan, Solitude Ski Resort, which is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, also approached Sandy City wanting to be annexed. He said he directed them to talk with Cottonwood Heights because that city is a closer neighbor to the resort.
Meanwhile, both Sandy and Snowbird say if Senate Bill 244 passes, they'll conduct studies and hold public meetings for input. No word on when the Legislature will hear the bill next.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
