Summitland, Utah Open Lands report progress on Homestead easement as Midway plans study for 13-acre Hamlet parcel
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Summary
At the Midway Open Space Committee meeting, Summitland and Utah Open Lands described progress toward a conservation easement on the Homestead golf course and secured seed funding for broader conservation work; the committee agreed to seek a planning grant and environmental assessment for a 13-acre former-dump parcel in the Hamlet for low-impact public use.
Katie, the committee staff member, opened the meeting by summarizing recent conservation activity and legislative items affecting local land use.
Lauren Payne of Summitland Conservancy said the Homestead (former golf course) conservation easement is proceeding but requires resolution of a financing lien before the organization can close; Summitland has received a short extension from the city and expects a final draft easement soon. Marissa of Utah Open Lands said Lundin is still moving forward and that the organization received a $2,000,000 starter RCPP grant to leverage additional funding for valley-wide conservation projects. Marissa also said Utah Open Lands will be at the Midway open house to highlight the Heart of Midway campaign and to present recent matching funds (about $85,000 raised through local events).
Committee members pressed for clarity about the Homestead timing and the legal constraint that a conservation easement generally cannot be held on property with an unresolved financing lien. Payne and Marissa said the parties are negotiating with lenders to clear the lien; they asked the committee to support a short extension from the city while financing issues are resolved.
On a separate parcel, representatives of the Hamlet described a 13-acre property that was reserved as open space when the Hamlet was developed but has functioned as the old city dump. Bernadette Nelson, speaking for the Hamlet board, said the Hamlet retains ownership but granted an easement that allows the city to assume guardianship and some maintenance duties. Committee members agreed the site poses environmental and infrastructure constraints (no culinary water provided with the easement, uneven topography, and soil/contamination concerns) and that any physical improvements should be preceded by a targeted environmental assessment.
Members recommended a staged approach: (1) secure a consultant planning grant to develop concept drawings, public charrettes and cost estimates (one committee member estimated about $125,000 for a full planning effort); (2) evaluate environmental remediation options such as a clay cap or limited fill and soft-surface trails; and (3) use the upcoming open house to collect broader public input and identify volunteer and grant partners. The committee asked staff to coordinate with wildlife and natural-resource professionals for a review and to put the Hamlet site before city council once a scope and budget are prepared.
The meeting closed with agreement to keep the community informed and to use the open house as a primary outreach opportunity.