September 9, 2014

Driggs City Council

60 North Main Street

Driggs, Idaho 83422

RE: Comments on the Huntsman Springs park land swap proposal

Dear City Council Members:

We offer the following comments regarding the Huntsman Springs park land swap proposal that has been noticed for public hearing on September 2, 2014 and continued to September 16, 2014.

Our program director and staff attorney has served on the Driggs Parks Committee through this negotiation process. We feel the proposed swap is a more equitable, equal-value trade than the original proposal provided the following additional conditions are met to protect the city and community’s best interests:

• The City should opt to accept cash for the park lands instead of subdivision lots from within the development.
• The City should be given 12 months notice before lease on the Stock Lumber lot is terminated.
• The City should also be given first right of refusal on any sale of the Stock Lumber lot based on its appraised value.
• The lease should only be terminated if Huntsman produces a construction plan for immediate development.

Again, we offer our support for this proposed land swap provided that these conditions are all met.

Sincerely,

/S/ David Axelrod

_____________________________

David Axelrod

Board President

Valley Advocates for Responsible Development