As Promised

Recap

• Issue 9: Introduced 10 reasons to question whether Town Council can always be trusted to act in Springdale’s best interest.
• Issue 10: Took a closer look at the first of those reasons—the workforce housing overlay zone change.
• Issue 11 (this issue): Examines the second item on that list: the land-swap proposal for a medical clinic, which many felt threatened too much of Springdale’s character.

Too much detail risks losing the reader; too little makes the effort meaningless. TSS is aiming here for the right balance.

When Helen and Mike McMahon prepared to retire from running their medical clinic in Springdale, the community grew concerned—after all, having a clinic in town is not a luxury, it’s convenient, beneficial, and valuable. The Mayor connected with FamilyHealth, an organization willing to take over operations. However, the small building near Town Hall was deemed inadequate, and attention turned to a parcel of land on SR-9 owned by Mike Marriott. The Town offered to grant him increased development density on other properties if he donated that land for a new clinic.

Many residents strongly opposed the arrangement. They argued that the Town was giving up far more than it was gaining. The old clinic building could still be used; the deal was entangled with earlier settlements; the proposed site—a narrow strip of land with limited SR-9 access that occasionally clogs with traffic to Zion National Park—might not even work well for a clinic. Additionally, 1) the Town would shoulder construction costs, 2) alternative sites were never fully explored, and 3) the increased density threatened Springdale’s small-village character.

To read what Planning Commission was told, go to page 3 of: <https://www.springdaletown.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1541?fileID=6887>

The following is a brief summary of what you would read there and basically skippable:

Zion Park Land proposes transferring parcel S-3 to Springdale for a future medical clinic and building up to four employee housing units on parcel S-15-A-1-A. In exchange, they seek to shift S-3’s seven development units to S-15-A-1-A for transient lodging, transfer up to six unused Holiday Inn Express units, and develop a clubhouse with up to 22 units plus amenities. The agreement would also amend the 2010 settlement to allow flexible development on Parcel 3, clarify permeable paver use, and permit a pedestrian bridge. If the Town does not build a clinic on S-3 within ten years, Zion Park Land could repurchase it. Staff finds the proposed density increase on Parcel 3 (from 17 to 34 units) within code limits and proportionate to public benefits. The proposal supports healthcare access and employee housing but may impact Springdale’s character with added traffic and activity. The Commission must weigh these tradeoffs and advise Town Council on approval.

Desert Pearl

Camp Outpost

The parcel in question

Parking lot