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Show Center - reviews 4 V mixed By PAUL CHALLIS News Editor J" BOUNTIFUL Conceptual plans for the proposed 180,000 square foot, six. anchor store shopping shopp-ing Center in downtown Bountiful received mixed reviews Tuesday from the public and city planning commission. Cheryl Okubo, commission chairman, said the developers had agreed to show the plans to the public pub-lic at the regularly scheduled planning plann-ing commission meeting, even though the project is still in the early ear-ly stages and approval from the planners wasn't needed in this phase of the project. "There are still a lot of 'ifs to overcome before the project obtains the final go-ahead from Bountiful and the developers,' she said. Developers Johan sen-Thackeray and Co., have an option agreement with the Bountiful Redevelopment Agency to test the water of the feasibility of the downtown project and will make a decision to continue con-tinue with the idea after April 10, the end of the first 90-day benchmark ben-chmark the developers have with the city. Either the RDA or the developer de-veloper can choose to pull out of the project at that time or at other times during the 18-month period of the option agreement contract Developer Arm and Johansen told the audience the project is "just a concept" at this point in the game and that his firm is after a "gaslight look' for the downtown Bountiful center. "Our main focus is on Main Street,' he added. Co-developer John Thackeray said the project is planned to set up specialty retail stores as a "linkage SEE CENTER ON A-3 car. Let's back them on this project. pro-ject. ' Leslie Foy, a City Council representative rep-resentative on the commission, said he likes the concept but would rather see more landscaping and things like fountains in the plans. "I think this project could be a good asset for the community," Foy said Kathi Izatt, commission member, said she would like to see the buildings conform to the area nearby near-by and added she had some concerns con-cerns about loading zones. "I would like to see more grass and trees. I think a smaller development would be better for downtown. ' Okubo said that downtown needs a change and that the historic essence and preservation of history needs to be reflected in the design. "We need to make progress but we need to be progressive in a proper manner. Your development has merit," Okubo said. Okubo and other planning commission com-mission members mentioned that the shopping center development would need a conditional use permit from the commission and the City Council before it could become a reality. Other suggestions offered to the developers by residents and commission com-mission members included: remember re-member the past in the designs; install in-stall historical markers; a historical walkway; cater to the people of Bountiful to get them to come downtown; have the stores have midnight madness sales and evening even-ing shopping for working residents and homebound moms; less concrete con-crete and more trees and landscaping; landscap-ing; different facades than at Foothill Village; flowers like at Mill Valley, Calif.; and a better mix than what is proposed. Center CONTINUED FROM A-l of dollars for Bountiful' s downtown. "We would like to help create a demand in the downtown area. The largest shop would only be 25,000 square feet, much smaller than the new ShopKo," Thackeray said. The developers encouraged input from Bountiful residents, saying it was wanted and would be appreciated appreci-ated and would be noted by the architects of the project on Blocks 29 and 20. Resident Shauna Taylor said she wondered what the new project would do to property values in the nearby streets. City Manager Tom Hardy said it probably wouldn't have any impact, or it might make the property more valuable. Taylor also wondered if Center Street would be widened if the new development de-velopment went in. She was told the street wouldn't be changed. 'I am also worried about the safety to our children in that area with increased traffic from the shopping center. There are about 20 kids living between 100 and 200 West," Taylor said. She also asked for a cleanup campaign to have some of the houses painted. "Is there an ordinance or-dinance to force the residents to clean up their homes and yard in the neighborhood? Hardy said there are two ordinances or-dinances in place, one of weed control con-trol and the other for junk. "There is no ordinance for forcing people to clean up their yards and to paint their houses." Hardy did encourage residents of all parts of Bountiful to clean up their places and keep the city attractive, attrac-tive, especially this spring. Resident Dora Flack, said she doubted if the project could become a reality. "I don't think you will be able to get anybody to lease it. I see it as another Colonial Square, with lots of empty rental spaces. She added that one of the things she didn't like about the proposed development was "all the parking spaces" in front of the stores along Main Street. "I would rather see parking in the rear of the development," Flack said. Resident Gary Peterson told the developers they "lacked sensitivity considering the historic (LDS) Tabernacle is across the street" from the proposed project. "You need to consider pedestrian zones, transition zones with more landscaping in your project," pro-ject," Peterson said. "We need to do something historical in downtown. What about the residents around the development? Gentlemen, I think you need to do something a little more inspired." Resident Charles Barlow spoke in favor of the downtown development de-velopment and said, "You can't stop progress, you can only delay it. These guys have a good idea. Lei's support them. ' Dell R. Hollbrook also voiced his support for the project, saying people peo-ple want to see the front door of a business. "We live in the day of the |