![]() “This is a once in forever opportunity to conserve a unique property of substantial size,” Wes Siddoway, chair of Summit County’s Open Space Advisory Committee, said in a press statement. The easement, which is being overseen by Utah Open Lands, allows public access to trails from May to October and retires development entitlements to nearly 700 structures. Two weeks ago, the builder of the Mayflower Resort committed 3,100 acres of that property between Bonanza Flat and Wasatch Mountains State Park to a conservation easement. The ranch will be the second substantial swath of land this month to be set aside as open space near Park City. Bernolfo, who according to court documents planned to donate proceeds from the sale of the land for development, was awarded $12.8 million in damages. The documents were produced after he sued his lawyers in 2008 for not protecting his development rights after Summit County moved to amend its development code, which cut the density allowed on his property by 40%. Bernolfo had development entitlements for 116 units and planned to build luxury residences on the land while preserving “wildlife and environmental components,” according to a brief of court documents posted by the International Society of Primerus Law Firms. A few speakers also cautioned the council to not let the land become overrun.īernolfo owns the property, upon which he ran the 910 Cattle Company. Public comment about the purchase was largely positive, with some speakers calling the land “a work of art.” Concerns were voiced about over the ban on hunting and how little notice the public was given about the potential purchase. Visitors will be asked to stay on East Canyon Road. The ranch will be considered private property until posted otherwise, however, to allow the county to develop a comprehensive use plan. Upon approval of the purchase, Summit County would take immediate control of the land and would pay a lease of $5,000 per month until the option ends. The Summit County Council will host a special meeting Thursday at 4 p.m. This map shows the 910 Cattle Ranch, a 8,576-acre parcel of land between Jeremy Ranch and the Mormon Pioneer Trail that Summit County is considering purchasing to convert to open space. “For years Utah Open Lands has looked for possible ways to see this land preserved, and this news is an amazing win for the community.” “This is a real legacy property not only for Summit County but for the state of Utah,” Fisher said in a statement. Its value lies in part, she said, in its proximity to the rapidly growing Jeremy Ranch community but also in the role it plays as part of the watershed that feeds the Wasatch Front and as a riparian corridor. Wendy Fisher, the executive director of Utah Open Lands, said the purchase of the 910 Cattle Ranch would be a good use of the county’s money. “At the end of the day, we’re not going to walk away from $15 million,” Chris Robinson, the council’s vice chair, said during the meeting. The rest, Scott told KPCW, could be financed through fundraising, grants and other means. County Manager Shayne Scott said the down payment, or $15 million, will come from that bond. Two years ago, Summit County voters approved the OpenSpaceGo bond, a 26-year bond that will generate $50 million for the county to put toward the purchase of open space. Hunting will not be allowed on the land, a requirement the owner, David Bernolfo, placed on the sale. Porcupine Creek runs through the property, which is home to many large animals and birds. That includes creating “public non-motorized trail systems and trailheads for hiking, cross country running, mountain biking and equestrian activities, fishing, Nordic skiing, skate skiing, picnicking camping.” Portions of the land may also be set aside as protected wildlife habitat or for grazing cattle, selective timber harvesting and education and research. ![]() Kirby said in an email to The Tribune that the county intends to use the land for open space and public recreation. Porcupine Creek winds through an 8,500-acre ranch near Jeremy Ranch that Summit County is considering buying as open space for $55 million.
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