Letters to the Editor
Creative thinking: A success story
Dear Editor,
The Mammoth View Project, located at the intersection of Mountain Blvd and North side of Main St, received approval and funding in June of 2013 for removing five unsightly utility poles fronting their project from Mountain Blvd toward Minaret Rd along north side of Main St. and placing the overhead utilities underground. The approved plan includes a transition at their west project boundary from the new underground utilities to five existing above ground poles with the same utilities, and a transition back to underground near the intersection of Minaret and Main St where utilities are currently underground. These transitions could require expensive electrical matching equipment, perhaps including watertight underground vaults, in addition to new poles and associated wiring plus labor.
Several meetings took place at the Planning Commission and Town Council over the next two years to find a way to underground the rest of the utilities along Main St. At the first Planning Commission meeting, “Public Comment” requested a cost analysis from SCE to determine whether it would be less expensive to underground the rest of Main St (five more utility poles) by extending the required trench another approximately 600 feet where its power lines could connect directly to existing underground utilities. At that meeting, the Planning Commission responded that SCE has their way of doing business and it would be fruitless to request such an analysis. When it was pointed out that these five additional poles would have to be removed as part of the Main St Improvement project, SCE indicated that they have a standard policy which dictates that any utility poles that have to be moved will be replaced “like for like” at another location. The reply by “Public Comment” was TOML and SCE need to start “thinking out of the box” when there could be clear advantages to TOML, not just accept the beaurocratic approach as gospel. Many meetings later, to the credit of Mammoth Town Council, they requested this cost analysis from SCE, which the Mammoth View project funded, and the analysis concluded that it was indeed less expensive to underground these five additional poles than replace “like for like” above ground that had been approved. As a result, all utility poles on Main St from Mountain Blvd to Minaret Rd will be removed and funding is already in place so no additional funding will be required. In order not to affect the July 4 parade route, the actual work will commence immediately after the holiday.
Thank you Planning Commission and Mammoth Town Council for following through by negotiating with SCE and thank you Mammoth View project for funding the cost analysis SCE performed. Special appreciation and thanks to Jen Daugherty of the Planning Commission for her proactive efforts and diligence to make this happen. The entire town benefits, especially as this is the most traveled intersection in Mammoth for tourists as well as locals.
Andy Ott
Mammoth Alliance of Prop. Owners
Viewpoint Condos
Keep the rink where it is
Dear Editor:
The ice rink would function in either location – existing site or Mammoth Creek. However, to move forward aiming at a strong educational system in Mammoth Lakes, where it is works very well.
Another perspective: Often, someone making enough to purchase an expensive residence can live wherever they want – they do not need to live near their source of income. This trend is sky-rocketing. The main choice on where to live for these families is not area or skiing (Mammoth is unparalleled), it’s schools.
A few years ago a tech firm was looking where to move its top execs (15 – 20), and looked at Mammoth. The firm moved to Deer Valley, Utah. Schools were reportedly one of the reasons they did not choose Mammoth. This would have been 15 to 20 home buying families to invest, volunteer, and help with supporting our shoulder season as well as many other symbiotic factors.
This market of tech firms and remote professionals is growing fast, and it’s big. If we want a part of that untapped market of local professionals and non-tourist businesses, we must invest in our schools. These highly paid professionals who can live wherever they want won’t accept just an OK or better-than-average school – they want the best in education, buildings, extracurricular activities, dual immersion, and AP classes etc. That’s where Mammoth should aim!
The ice rink anywhere would be appreciated. In its current location, it would also be a large building for both Cerro Coso College and the School District to share in its use for a multitude of educational, artistic and musical purposes, as well as being in the economic core of Old Mammoth. In the current location, it would be a great adjunct to the educational system in Mammoth Lakes, a system Mammoth really needs to support and make the best. I feel this whole area of the Gateway could be a really good campus of high-level learning. Such dreams necessitate good amenities, like the ice rink covered structure, amphitheater, and trails.
To look at it from the “Mammoth is but a two-star outdoor hotel” perspective where only tourism counts, tear down the defunct community center and put it there.
The Gateway Specific Plan pretty much means anything could be built on the current ice rink parcel. Accordingly, this unencumbered parcel has a high appraisal value. Realistically, you would never get a large hotel, restaurant, retail or housing on this parcel. However, the appraisal means that’s the value to look at for use and sale. When the Town sold a parcel to the School District for buses, it was at market rate, no discounted price. However, the ice parcel, used as a shared community benefited parcel, could be sold at a rate based on the shared use for educational purposes (in writing, of course). The Town, on the other hand, could perceive the benefit of financial help to the School District is helping our kids and therefore the Town at large along with its future as a community – pay a reasonable price.
As always, we need to look first at what’s best for the community devoid of money, politics and turf. Then, assume it’s possible, and make it happen (Ken and Flossie Coulter lesson).
As a past School Board member, I believe we have great teachers and a good educational system. The better we can make it, the better our future and community, including higher property values and investments. Supporting our school and teachers is, I believe, the best way by far of building community value along with an economically healthy Mammoth where this untapped market of professionals would desire to locate.
Kudos to the Town for the great infrastructure it has built (Mountain, trails, parks, transportation…). Huge appreciation and thanks to current and past Mammoth leaders/staff for all they have accomplished.
The above is just my perception, devoid of the idiosyncrasies and subtleties available only to those at the table. Whatever the outcome, I know all are doing the best they can with good intentions.
I love our Town and County; I am thankful.
Greg Newbry
Mammoth Lakes
