Summit County approves tax for new cemetery despite location concerns

Proposed cemetery site location near Utah Olympic Park. Photo: Snyderville Basin Cemetery District

The need for a local cemetery has become pressing as Park City Cemetery reaches capacity, however, the proposed site sits at what some residents are calling the "gateway" to Park City

PARK CITY, Utah – The Summit County Council voted Wednesday to approve a property tax increase to fund the Snyderville Basin Cemetery District, despite significant public concerns about location and costs.

The Cemetery District’s board is seeking $495,000 in annual revenue through the new tax, which would cost primary residents approximately $25 per year on a $2 million home. The proposed 12-acre cemetery would be located near the Utah Olympic Park on county-owned open space.

During the public hearing, several residents expressed concerns about the cemetery’s proposed location. “[Highway] 224, is the gateway into Park City. And I’m not sure that everybody shares the vision that a cemetery is a nice thing to look at,” said Paul Anderson, a Snyderville Basin resident.

“It would be on the access road up to Olympic Park, as we’re getting ready to welcome the world here in 10 years for the Olympics. I’m not sure that our gateway, 224, Olympic Park area is the right place to be putting this thing.”

Board member Pete Gillwald defended the site choice, noting that cemetery use was specifically included in the property’s deed restrictions. “When we looked at this parcel, we knew the special character of the site,” Gilwald said. “Our goal is that … we’re not going to allow 20 foot marble statues. It’s all going to be low-level plaques on the ground.”

The need for a local cemetery has become pressing as Park City Cemetery reaches capacity. County Councilor Roger Armstrong noted that Park City recently created about 80 new burial spots by moving light poles, but these are restricted to residents who have lived in Park City for at least 10 years. Currently, many Snyderville Basin residents must seek burial options in Heber City.

The district plans to share parking facilities with Basin Recreation, which is currently building a parking lot nearby. Board members indicated the cemetery could serve both Snyderville Basin and Park City residents, as Park City’s cemetery has limited remaining capacity.

The next step is a budget public hearing scheduled for December 5 at 6 p.m., where the cemetery district’s Board of Trustees will consider approval of their 2025 budget. If approved, board members estimated the earliest possible burials could begin in approximately 18 months, pending further site testing and conditional use permit approvals.

The cemetery district, created in 2012 but only recently activated, operates independently with oversight from the County Council. The district sent over 15,000 tax notices to residential and business properties in the Snyderville Basin area regarding the proposed increase.