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Show Bountiful: Avoid Scattergun Redevelopment By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL Redevelopment agency's agen-cy's Design and Impact Committee adv ised the Agency Board of Directors Wednesday night that they should "procede with caution" cau-tion" and avoid any "scattergun" approach to redevelopment. IN A prepared statement to the directors, the committee agreed that matters pertaining pertain-ing to any phase of redevelopment should be dealt with very cautiously for two "very good reasons." First, indepth and unbiased marketing and consumer-related studies must be done by, or under the direction of, the board of directors to determine the public acceptance accept-ance of any project undertaken and its cost-benefit cost-benefit relationships. ALSO, A "scattergun" approach to redevelopment re-development would prove to be a disaster for our city," the resolution stated. "WITH THE economic curtailments being exercised by all segments of the business busi-ness community, we must concentrate on a selected project or projects on a priority basis and plan in-depth for the success of these projects," the statement added. The committee, in its resolution to the directors, also noted that "it has become abundantly clear that adequate research, communication and planning have not preceded pre-ceded the proposals that were previously submitted for consideration and approval. THE resolution continued: "We refer to the Prows-Turtle Creek comment; the Palmer-Albertson commitment commit-ment or communication: the bonding status for the elderly housing development; and the proposal concerning the Colonial Square property." THE RESOLIJTON adds, "It is imperative impera-tive that full disclosure of project details and commitments be made when presentations presenta-tions are made for board of committee consideration con-sideration so as to avoid misconceptions that might develop as project negotiations are consummated." In making the presentation to the board of directors, the committee approved six "caution ggide lines for redevelopment" as well as seven recommendations for RDA approval. THE LATTER suggested the following: 1 . The RDA Board should proceed with a marketing survey concerning advisable retail re-tail mix as being proposed by other committees com-mittees charged with this reponsibility. 2. ESCOL'RAGE proposals and suggested sug-gested plans from several capable de velopers. 3. Immediately try to solve the problem of developing a satisfactory solution as to what would be an acceptable design and traffic-flow pattern for present merchants and any proposed development area. 4. CONCENTRATE on a limited number of development projects as defined within the financial projections of the increment tax revenues and priority needs. J. Restructure citizen committee involvement in-volvement and organization and require from them unbiased, non-political, and knowledgeable input. This committee should work independently of the director and the RDA Board with recommendations to be made to the Board as quickly a spos-sible. spos-sible. 6. THE Bountiful City Sign Ordinance either be amended or replaced by a new ordinance that addresses the dual problem of permitting signs that w ill be esthetically acceptable in terms of beautification of the downtown area, but will adequately consider con-sider the value of signing to the promotion prom-otion of business. Mobile signs that create an "eyesore" or safety hazard should be declared illegal. 7. The Redevelopment Agency Board should more specifically define the responsibilities respon-sibilities of the director and his area of involvement. in-volvement. AT THE same time, the committee issued six caution guidelines for redevelopment redevelop-ment as follows: 1. The most serious transgression of owner-developer relationship in today's market is developer default as a result of being under capitalized and either pulling out or going bankrupt in the middle of a job. 2. Make certain that reliable anchor stores are contractually committed and have sufficient capital to do the job before ground is broken on the project. 3. BE CERTAIN that a reliable (not superficial) su-perficial) marketing and development study is completed before redevelopment money is invested with a prospective developer. de-veloper. 4. Be certain that present merchant tenants of a proposed development area are adequately considered as to their future concerns and capabilities before accepting anew development project. 5. THOROUGHLY study and be sensitive sensi-tive to the concerns and impact upon the citizens of adjoining neighborhoods. 6. Give thorough and long-range planning plan-ning to traffic and environmental problems and adequately analyze the potential shopping shop-ping environment to be certain that a health retail climate will result from the project. |