County council nears decision on proposed OSTA park
by Steve Kadel
staff writer
Mar 07, 2013 | 1476 views | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Grand County Council will decide during its March 19 meeting whether to issue a conditional use permit allowing construction of a $2.1 million park adjacent to the Old Spanish Trail Arena.

The facility would include two adult softball fields, two soccer fields, a multi-use pavilion and other items.

Citizens have until 5 p.m. March 13 to comment on the proposal. Written testimony may be emailed to www.grandcountyutah.net or comments may be mailed to the council office at 125 E. Center St., Moab, UT 84532.

The Grand County Recreation Special Service District would operate the park and pay $1.2 million of construction costs. The Community Impact Fund Board would contribute a $923,500 grant.

Duane Stewart, representing nearby Rim Village, said residents there support the concept. Their only concerns are about lights and noise, he said during the council’s public hearing Tuesday, March 5.

“We’re unanimously in favor of the ballpark,” he said. “We think it’s a great idea.”

Mike Steele, board chairman of the recreation district, said he prefers that lights be allowed until 11 p.m. although softball teams will be asked to conclude play by 10:30 p.m.

“We want that little cushion there so we wouldn’t get hammered too hard if we ran over a little bit,” he said, adding, “We want to respect Rim Village.”

On Feb. 13, the Grand County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approving the park.
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