I Bountiful's offer for horse-carriage business 'on hold' By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL This community's horse and carriage era may be delayed. Bountiful City Council decided to postpone for further study a proposal for a horse and carriage bus cess to be located on Main Street near the Bountiful LDS Tabernacle. The council tabled for further study a proposal from a horse and carriage operator to start a new business which would have a route between 100 North and 400 North and 1 00 West and 300 East. If approved at a later date, the council's action would enable the operator, Loren Miller of Carriage Livery Ltd., to operate during specified hours and under strict regulations, according to the council. Horse and carriage rides would be available between 6 p.m. and 1 1 p.m., and by appointment only. Special party times and rates could also be arranged. Strict regulations would include little if any alcohol consumption, following traffic regulations, having bright and clearly marked carriages, car-riages, and stringent rules for care of the animals and carriages. The council did not elaborate what these restrictions might entail, but asked that the petition be referred back to the city's public safety committee for further study. The council also showed concern about where the pickup station would be and exactly what route (or combination of routes) would be followed. In an earlier meeting with the council. Miller said that the horse and carriage business is booming in Utah and suggested that Bountiful Boun-tiful would be an excellent location for a new business. He asked for a 5 -year exclusive agreement with the city, but this has met with opposition from at least part of the city council. "I will not permit an exclusive operation to exist in Bountiful if I can prevent pre-vent it," said Councilman Harold Shafter. "This country is built on the principle of free enterprise and for a council to restrict a business to one operator is unconstitutional." Councilman Bob Gramoll also urged free enterprise. "Don't even think of coming before me and asking for an exclusive contract, because I won't give it to you," he said. The council earlier agreed to the concept of a horse and damage business operating in Bountiful, but agreed that there must be some stringent requirements and these requirements must be followed. Some of the routine requirements outlined at that time stipulated that the carriage be properly lighted and include brakes, signal lights, slow-moving signs, be weU maintained and that bags be attached to catch the horse's droppings. Horses, the stipulation states, must be of proper size, weight and strength for their use, drivers must be neat and clean, and drivers must be registered with the Bountiful Police Department.