Thoughtful Planning & Responsible Growth

•  Maintain community character and quality of life for all residents. 

• Strengthen the General Plan and Development Code to prevent transformational growth.

• Guide previously approved development using incentives that address community challenges, while minimizing adverse impacts.

Traffic Mitigation

• Actively collaborate with partners on UDOT improvements, Bus Rapid Transit, and underground parking at Kimball Junction. 

• Evaluate traffic impacts in all key decisions and work to reduce congestion.

• Explore traffic solutions through budgeting, transportation planning, regional partnerships, and Olympic infrastructure projects.

Preserve & Protect the Natural Environment

• Advance open space initiatives and protect wildlife to safeguard the County’s most valuable natural assets. 

• Encourage sustainable growth and resource management throughout the County.

John brings a combination of public service and financial decision-making experience that directly aligns with the responsibilities of County Council.  His leadership style is focused on listening, collaboration, and building consensus to achieve positive outcomes for the community. John served six years on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission, including time as Chair. The Commission is a seven-member body that reviews planning and development matters throughout the County.John has more than 25 years of experience in investment management and financial decision-making at both large and small institutions. He has served as a principal in real estate acquisitions, financing, and contract negotiations at every level.

This experience means John:

• Has led public meetings and values hearing from all participants

• Has worked closely with County leaders in Planning, Transportation, Sustainability, Economic Development, and Housing

• Has a clear voting record on responsible growth, including negative recommendations on projects such as Dakota Pacific and Highland Flats, and positive recommendations on Canyons workforce housing and Lincoln Station

• Has contributed to key planning and development documents that shape the County’s future

County Council:

• Negotiates land acquisitions and financing for Open Space and other County real estate investments

• Approves the County’s annual operating budget, currently over $100 million

• Makes decisions on major service and infrastructure projects, often involving long-term financing

John’s background in accounting, budgeting, and public office allows him to ask informed questions, evaluate options carefully, and help ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

As Planning Commissioner John voted against Dakota Pacific, with a negative recommendation to Council.  You can find a detailed outline of his rationale in the 9/8/2020 Minutes of the SBPC  meeting.

https://www.summitcountyutah.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09082020-2610

Commission Questions and Comments

Commissioner Kucera thanked all involved from Staff to the applicants for their hard work and professionalism. He thinks this project needs to lead the way to represent the vision of the town center described in the Kimball Junction Master Plan. If it is approved, there are no do-overs. They need to get this right.

Commissioner Kucera shared his thoughts about the different aspects of the Dakota Pacific project. He started with affordable housing. If a project creates more jobs than the affordable housing units that they will build, there are no net benefits. This is not a justification to move forward.

Commissioner Kucera said the concept of live here and work here is critical. An 80% AMI is about $90,000 per year of income. Service workers, teachers, fire fighters, and police are unlikely to make the cut. That means the needs of the community are not being met. They need to ensure they are making a positive impact before they add 1 and a 1/2 times the population of Coalville City to Kimball Junction.

Commissioner Kucera said the impact to the traffic will be worse than the lowest designation of failing. It doesn't seem that the traffic can be mitigated. There is no question the traffic will get worse, faster, if the project is approved. He doesn't believe that making the traffic worse will help to solve the traffic problem, as the applicants have stated.

Commissioner Kucera said the size, scope, and location of the project are too important to simply allow expanded uses without strong control measures. To him, the mix of uses is as important as the mixes themselves. The projected percentage of residential and retail doesn't reflect the vision of the Kimball Junction Master Plan. Additionally, converting offices to hotel space will have an adverse impact. It will increase the demand of services, trails, open space, and other amenities. These impacts need to be fully vetted and weighed. He recommended density be evaluated on the new uses and not the existing Development Agreement.

Commissioner Kucera said he doesn't believe that growth is inevitable. There are many urban communities, but not many vibrant mountain towns, which is what they want this area to be. The Commission should be highly attentive to the details of a project to not undo the previous work done by others in establishing this community. They should not make changes they can't undo.

Commissioner Kucera said he doesn't believe this plan provides the benefits and the vision that this community should demand. He would support forwarding a negative recommendation to the County Council