April 2, 2024 (Link to Agenda)
This is an unofficial summary of the Board meeting produced by MIDA communications staff. Finalized minutes will be posted to the Utah Public Notice Website (pmn.utah.gov) once they are approved by the Board.
Board members present: Adams, Harter, Farrell, Ostermiller, Shepherd
Kurt Krieg, Executive Vice President, Resort Development for EX Utah Development LLC, provided the MIDA Board with a Deer Valley East Village update on Tuesday, April 2. He noted that the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (pictured to the left), that includes a block of 100 rooms that will be available on a preferred rate basis for our nation’s service men and women, whether on active duty or retired, and including Department of Defense personnel, as well as access to the grand conference room space and a dedicated military concierge space, is expected to be substantially complete in September of this year. Krieg also noted this winter’s great snowfall will be beneficial for local watersheds.
Board Action
- Unanimous approval of Ordinance 2024-01 Approving Amendments to the Sewer Ordinance and the Storm Water Ordinance for the Falcon Hill Project Area
- Unanimous approval of Ordinance 2024-02 Amending the Resort Communities Tax Within the MRF Project Area – Postponed to the next MIDA Board Meeting
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2024-01 Appointing Dustin Grabau as a Member of the MRF Development Review Committee for the West Side of the Military Recreation Facility Project Area+
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2024-02 Adopting Amendments to the Military Recreation Facility Project Area Development Standards and Guidelines Changing Condominium and Townhome Unit Short Term Rentals from Conditional Uses to Permitted Uses, Subject to Regulation by Executive Order
- Discussion: MIDA’s Nicole Cottle explained that as units come out of the ground, there is great interest to facilitate short-term rental use; MIDA has recognized the Board asking for oversight.
- No public comment.
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2024-03 Approving the Pioche Hotel Subdivision Plat in the Military Recreation Facility Project Area
- Discussion: MIDA’s Nicole Cottle explained this is an amendment request to the plat; convert two parcels into one lot. The benefits are to allow the hotel to come forward and to be able to build on one lot instead of two.
- No public comment.
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2024-04 Providing for the Creation of the MIDA Sundance Public Infrastructure District as a Subsidiary of MIDA, Authorizing and Approving a Governing Document, Appointing a Board of Trustees, Authorizing Other Documents in Connection Therewith and Related Matters
- MIDA’s Paul Morris explained the PID creation is the next step after the project area creation was approved.
- PID Board Members will include:
- Gary Harter: A retired Army Colonel who now serves as Executive Director of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs. He is also a MIDA Board member.
- Bill Jensen: A ski industry veteran, partner in the Storyteller ownership group for Sundance, as well as the co-founder of the Vail Veterans Program on which the Sundance Veterans Program will be templated.
- Mike Ostermiller: MIDA Board member and liaison to MIDA staff. Partner at Kyler, Kohler, Ostermiller, and Sorensen, LLP.
- Nicole Cottle: MIDA Chief Legal & Administrative Officer. She spent 24 years in various legal and economic development capacities with West Valley City.
- Ezra Nair: County Administrator for Utah County.
- Unanimous approval of Resolution 2024-05 Determining that the Installation and Construction of Certain Public Infrastructure and Improvements are of Benefit to the Dugway Proving Ground Project Area and are Eligible for Certain MIDA Funds
- Discussion: MIDA’s Ariana Farber explained the roadway and infrastructure improvements are to benefit transportation and access to and from the installation, that will correlate to recruitment and retention efforts that support critical missions there, and discussed the grant opportunities;
- Sen. Adams acknowledged the great opportunity;
- In making the motion to approve, MIDA board member Harter acknowledged the significant difference these improvements will make to support military missions, and expressed appreciation to MIDA staff for their exploration on grant funding.
Project Updates
Falcon Hill – Taylor Woodbury: Continue to work through infrastructure and community projects and with partners therein, and new development.
MRF – Kurt Krieg: Highlighted the newly-announced leadership team at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley: Michael Lindenbaum has been secured as President, Extell Hospitality Services. Michael came from Hyatt and prior Dream Hotel Group with over two decades of hotel management and is based in New York. Michael will be onsite for the next several months aiding Hyatt with opening of the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley; and Anthony Duggan has been named General Manager of the hotel, who started in March. Anthony brings with him a wealth of experience, more than 25 years of dedicated leadership within the hospitality industry, including notable establishments such as Aman, Fairmont, St. Regis, L’Auberge, Miraval Resorts, Westin, and InterContinental. Forty-nine of the 55 residential condos are under contract. MIDA staff working with hotel and Hill Air Force Base on details for the 100 dedicated military rooms. Soft opening expected in September.
- Krieg further explained that EX Utah has been working with MIDA on the potential acquisition of Pioche’s Building D – 42 residences for workforce housing. In addition, a RFP has been issued to begin site planning of Marina West; primary roads and utilities engineering has begun.
Both Krieg and MIDA Executive Director Paul Morris acknowledged status of the Air Force exchange agreement (the Red Maple parcel) and the diligent work therein; a closing is hopeful for this month.
Morris concluded with MIDA updates and with an acknowledgment of a recent updated dialogue with Wasatch County School District to discuss the potential project area elementary school site and housing, and funding therein.
MIDA Board member Ostermiller highlighted the recognizable synergies with MIDA staff and the board, staff’s energy and retention efforts.