Commission pauses decision on Canyons Village 1,840‑stall garage pending traffic, cabriolet and lighting details

The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission on March 12 continued consideration of the proposed Canyons Village LV5 parking garage after a lengthy public hearing and detailed commissioner examination.

The proposal: Tiffany Robinson (senior planner) described a five‑level garage (two levels below grade) with associated surface parking providing a consolidated total of about 1,840 stalls when combined with nearby satellite lots. Robinson noted an administrative amendment by the community development director raised the maximum allowed height on the parcel from 6,780 to 6,784 feet for the garage only.

Operations and phasing: Staff and the applicant said construction is planned in phases: Phase A builds and opens the first three levels (two functioning for the 2024–25 ski season); Phase B would complete both remaining levels and the pedestrian/transit plaza (Cabriolet/Transit Plaza) with landscaping and lighting by the 2025–26 ski season. The applicant clarified summer operations for the Lower Village parking area during construction: "During the summer...we will not have any parking in the Lower Village," the applicant said, and that temporary surface lots would be used for construction laydown and winter season parking.

Public concerns raised repeatedly: dozens of residents, condominium HOA representatives and neighborhood leaders spoke during the public hearing, asking for:
- A clear reconciliation of existing parking counts (staff said there are roughly 1,200 stalls in the Lower Village and about 600 satellite stalls, yielding the consolidated 1,840 figure);
- A robust traffic study addressing where displaced satellite parking traffic will travel, peak and worst‑case scenarios, and likely cut‑throughs into adjacent neighborhoods (Frostwood, Hidden Creek, Cooper Lane, White Pine Canyon Road);
- Cabriolet capacity and operations: multiple commenters urged an upstream analysis of Cabriolet throughput and queuing, citing concerns about existing capacity and future demand; staff noted CVMA performs annual Cabriolet assessments and reported current Cabriolet capacity at about 2,200 people per hour;
- Lighting and light‑spill control for downhill neighborhoods: residents asked for cut sheets, photometrics and confirmation of dark‑sky compliance; staff and the architect presented fixture selection and dimming/occupancy strategies and committed to provide additional photometrics; and
- Pedestrian safety and crossings where employee housing and the team building connect to the Cabriolet and the planned plaza, including stamped/raised crosswalks, signage and staging to prevent conflicts.

Technical responses and documentation requested: the applicant and staff said Hills Engineering prepared a traffic analysis (updated in the days before the meeting) and that CVMA compiles five‑year transportation plans; they committed to post the full traffic report and to provide cabriolet‑capacity details, internal garage photometrics and an engineering reconciliation that documents which existing surface stalls will be consolidated into the new footprint. Architect Sean Thompson described facade, roof and lighting choices intended to limit light spill and said the roof is structurally suitable for ballasted photovoltaic arrays.

Commissioner position and outcome: commissioners pressed for additional materials and the ability to review technical appendices before taking a recommendation. Commissioner Diane moved to continue the matter to a date uncertain so staff and the applicant could supply requested items; the commission seconded and the motion passed on roll call.

What the commission requested before resuming: the updated Hills Engineering traffic analysis and appendices; cabriolet utilization and throughput data; internal photometric cut sheets and exterior lighting photometrics; a clear reconciliation of existing satellite stalls vs. the consolidated garage count; pedestrian crossing and plaza design details; and confirmation of dark‑sky compliance and snow/safety design assumptions. Staff and applicant agreed to provide the materials for the commission and to post the traffic report for public review.