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Show Davis Not Against Annexation By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON County officials aren't opposed to North Salt Lake's annexation of the Chevron Oil refinery but are taking a neutral stand. County Com. Harry Gerlach Sr. said last week. IN A quarterly boundary commission meeting where annexations are discussed, he said "There's no advantage to the county wanting them (Chevron) to stay in the county. coun-ty. We still get our mill levy taxes. We're perfectly neutral." North Salt Lake recently annexed property where Chevron plans to build an experimental ex-perimental oil shale extraction facility after the county's planning plan-ning commission had Riven approval to preliminary plans. That has ledto some concern in several camps, including that of Chevron officials (see related re-lated storv). "WE KNEW that you (North Salt Lake) had sent a letter of intent quite some time ago," the commissioner continued. con-tinued. "But we didn't know you were actively pursuing it (annexation). So they (interested (in-terested parties) started out in the planning department (with planning proceedures)." North Salt Lake Mayor Robert D. Palmquist said the city had two courses of action it could follow. "According to the law they (Chevron) had to close down their project. It says the county does not have the authority to give permission permis-sion to commercial-industrial development. "SO WHEN we annexed them we did it unilaterally after five weeks of meetings with those (Chevron) people. We told them at that time and I sent out a letter that since we had annexed them we'd accept all permits that had been given by the county." But he added, "Now that they are protesting the annexation, annexa-tion, we are very seriously considering an injunction to stop all construction." ASST. COUNTY Planner Albert Cole said the state's annexation bill specifics the county can't approve a residential re-sidential or commercial-industrial commercial-industrial project, but says no-thing"about no-thing"about research facilities. "This is basically temporary and for research. Research is not an industrial-type thing. We weren't trying to do anything any-thing behind anyone's back, he added, noting action was taken because it was a research facility facil-ity that Chevron officials have said will operate for only three-five three-five years, with only one permanent per-manent building planned. EXPLAINING what relation the city hopes to have with Chevron. City Attorney Mike McCoy said. "We're not going to try to regulate it. We want to help them." But he went on to say. "they should be paying taxes to the city. "It's a heck of an impact on the whole area. They ought to be paying property taxes to support what everyone else is paying for. The only reason they went into the county (de-annexed (de-annexed previously ) was to try to avoid North Salt Lake's mill levy, which is not verv creat. "AFTER THAT, everything's every-thing's going to be the same (on services). The city's going to treat them very well and whatever they want to do. we'll work with them." Mr. McCoy said, adding, "My social so-cial philosophy is they should contribute to North Salt Lake, they ought to be contributing to other areas. They impact Salt Lake City. etc. We are going to do as much for them as anybody. Certainly we're not adversely affecting that development de-velopment in any way." The mayor read a portion of the city's annexation agreement agree-ment made with the county nearly two vears ago. It says in Davis Is Not Against Chevron Annexation CONTINUED FROM FRONT part. "The city does not favor the annexation of territory for which it has no intention to provide municipal- services." Areas annexed will receive "immediate" fire and police protection, planning and zoning, zon-ing, street maintenance, garbage gar-bage and other refuse collecting collect-ing and a right to participate in city functions. , OTHER SERVICES, such as water, sewer and storm drain, will be provided as the area develops with those existing ex-isting services provided upon extension and connection to city lines and systems. Street light normally are provided within a year of annexation. |