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Show ican Fork- u J I J.ilfr More LOCAL news than any other source! For home delivery call 756-7669 or see our web site at www.newutah.com Vol. 21, No. 19 Wednesday, May 12, 1999 50 cents a single copy Planners consider free laws By Barbara Christiansen , City Editor American Fork's Beautification and Shade Tree Committee is looking at laws from other communities to try and draft one to help protect trees within American Fork. Both historic trees which have been damaged or removed, and new plantings which don't survive, sur-vive, have become problems within the community, said City Council member Juel Belmont who also serves on the Planning Commission. " "We are losing our existing landscaping at a terrible rate," she said. "Over the last 30 years we have lost a complete forest in town," she added. People are often complacent about damage and loss to trees on city property, she indicated. That is a reflection of not knowing know-ing their value, she added. "If this were trucks parked at the city compound and people put sugar in the gas tank, people would notice" she said. Homeowners may feel differently, differ-ently, said City Attorney Kevin Bennett Instead of seeing the trees between the sidewalk and curb as city property, they may view them as theirs. "It depends on how people look at it," he said. They may think these are my shrubs and my lava rock, for my house." He told the story of a citizen who ripped out the landscaping in the area and left it in weeds, after he was told the strip of ground was city property. That consideration and the penalties attached to problems with trees on the park strip could make citizens reluctant to plant trees at all, said Commissioner James Hansen. He noted Park City's ordinance ordi-nance would discourage him. "As I read the example of Park City's law, there would be no way I would plant a tree between the ' sidewalk and the street Bennett indicated he was in favor of the city having an ordinance ordi-nance to protect trees, but that the city needed to be careful in drafting it v City considers allowing higher roof lines By Barbara Christiansen City Editor With today's building styles, homes are getting larger and larger while lots' are getting smaller and smaller. - That has created a new style of building, which in some cases is currently illegal in American M -M HOSTS THE WORLD 1 - p , ' ..... . ' Quality Inn and Suites shares joyous, painful ojcporisnces with its guests tt Bajsara Ckctiann City Editor Quality Inn and Suites has hosted over 32,000 people at its location in the North Valley Business Park since its openicj in August of 1S97. - "We are experiencing steady growth said owner Randy Tomlinson. . So far, a majority of the Etrons have stayed at Quality a for business reasons. About 80 percent of their customers have come to American Fork on buiiain, ci Torxilizjon. Atctj -t prtezt just pr tz'j :trrrli tba t 1 and rt Cs hctd as a jhca to br3d in ptrt ca t locttla arJ interzitirisl rtp-uUi:3. rtp-uUi:3. v . Ttj tzi!S 12 parent have An: ilk or iU envi FTTH ' - y . I I ' J - . v . ' ; 1 .... -., , ' 5 ; Jimw ,m, 1 ..MM itif tfi ill ri' ilUnirl.iVTi.nifLinim.r n n- I IT l 111 Jarvd Danili tapet box, preparing it for shipment to Oklahoma to aid tornado victims. Locals respond to Oklahoma disaster An over-whelming response filled the lobby of the American Fork Hospital last Wednesday with donated items to be sent to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma City. "It was amazing," said Cheri Hawes, hospital public relations rela-tions director, who helped coordinate coor-dinate activites at American Fork. The hospital, along with Utah Valley Regional Medical Fork. . The city has an ordinance in place which limits the height of homes. From the ground to the peak of the roof, structures should be no higher than 30 feet.'.. . City planning officials are looking at possible changes in rons as their destination, coming com-ing to visit family, .friends, or attend events such as weddings or funerals. It is the happy occasions which the staff finds interest-ing interest-ing in their careers. The funnest thing is about the emotions," said Tomlinson. "A lot of people come for joyous occasions. It is a pretty satisfy-injeareer satisfy-injeareer There have been hard time also, he said. Some of their guests have come to visit loved czti who are hocitxl'red or to CSrJ florals. CJT at the hrtsl hxs beta instructed to Law csntpaasion for their guests, but it also comes naturally natu-rally to Ca workers. 7 have a rood front desk ct:" uzii Trf-isra. "V.'a have thc to tst to the guests M j hi Center, and Orem Community Hospital, served as drop-off designations for items of the single day effort after Tom Harrison of Park City spearheaded spear-headed a campaign to aid the victims, and KISN radio's Fisher, Todd and Erin promoted promot-ed it on their early morning radio show. Volunteers from the community com-munity including families, and scout troops came to the hospi the law to allow for the current designs. In addition to size, new types of construction and architecture architec-ture have contributed to the wishes for the ordinances to be changed. i r. "There is more of a need as building techniques have and find out where they are from. We want them to be cordial cor-dial and also to track to where our business is coming from It helps the customers feel good, too. "People consider us as their second home," he said. They feel comfortable and welcomed. Weget a lot of repeat business." That business comes from all over. "We have had quite a few guests from Italy, representatives representa-tives , from China Airlines developing new flight simulators, simula-tors, scse from New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, India, Germany , Switzerland, France led England. "One wcjnan recently visited us frea tir hoaie in London. Eha tla tia two other bxses, Cca C'AUTT on rtj 12 If ,tM:A?? tal to help sort and pack the food, blankets, and other items donated and take them to Salt Lake City. Hawes said Scout Troop 3842 spent several hours assisting in the effort. The Kirt Daniels family assisted in taking tak-ing the items to Salt Lake for loading in semi-tractor trucks. Donations continued to be dropped off at the hospital through Monday. changed," said Planning Commission Chair J.H. Hadfield. "These are better built buildings with more technological tech-nological advances, that require more distance between floors." Wood measurements and See ROOFS on Page 12 3 AF considers extensive south annexation By Barbara Christiansen City Editor Six hundred fifty acres south of American Fork could be joining join-ing the city, laying the way for the potential of a doubling the community's population. The proposed density in the area, however, is causing some concern, as the city's Planning and Zoning Commission wrestles wres-tles with the prospects. "The proposed densities are double in some portions (from what the city had anticipated)," said Planning Consultant Rod Despain. City officials are considering updates to the General Plan, which outlines the direction the community will take. Under the present plan, some of the area would be in the residential agricultural agri-cultural zone with one lot per acre, with much of the rest in low density housing. Some saw the request premature pre-mature in view of the current General Plan. Steel Days signs talent, tennis tourney is set Preparations are under way for this year's Steel Days events. This year, American has scheduled for July 5-10 for the annual city celebration. Many of the standard events are returning and some old favorites will also be held. One which has not been held for several years which will be back is the tennis tournament. The Steel Days Committee has signed nationally-known country artist Billy Dean, Thurl Bailey of the Utah Jazz and his jazz band, and KSL's Dick Nourse for the Big Show, which will be held Saturday evening during the annual American Fork City Celebration in July. This year's theme is Hometown Family Fun, and city officials have priced the tickets with that in mind. They want families to be able to attend, so they are charging only $8 for adults and children 8 and older. Those 7 and under are free. City officials are hoping the low prices will make the show available for a large number of the citizens to attend, to allow for a massive audience to recoup the city's costs. rra "Right now we have a General Plan, and it calls for the RA-1 (residential agricultural agricul-tural one-acre lot) zone," said Planning Commissioner Mike Georgeson. "We are considering changing it, but have not yet. Unless you are willing to accept the present plan we are stymied." The city has hired a consultant consul-tant to study the area and the issues dealing with its potential for development. Those reports will begin at the May 19 meeting meet-ing of the Planning Commission. Georgeson wants that information prior to making mak-ing any decision. "At this point it would be premature pre-mature until we see what issues we need to consider in planning for that area," he said. Planning Commission Chair J.H. Hadfield agreed. "We take a request and bounce it against the general See DENSITY on Page 12 Prices admit bearers not only into the Big Show, but to the fireworks show held immediately imme-diately after. There will also be drawings and prizes. Tickets are available now at City Hall and Smithtix in American Fork. The tennis tournament returns this year as a singles tournament. It will be held July 8, 9, and 10 at the tennis courts at Lone Peak High School in Highland. Registration is being accepted at the American Fork Fitness Center, 454 N. Center Street, through July 2 at 5 p.m. The cost is $10 and includes a tee shirt. Age brackets for men and women are: 14 and under, 15-17, 15-17, 18-25, 26-40, and 41 and up. The tournament is a consolation consola-tion type format, with two out of three six-game sets with 12-point 12-point tiebreaker if necessary. Committee members thanks the three sponsors for their generosity in making the tournament tour-nament available. They are Legacy Mortgage, Quality Sports for Less, and Backyards Unlimited. Those wishing further information infor-mation should contact Robin Wise at 756-9693. Photo by Bartxara Chrtsttensen; tZztn In tht) tourt TSrrpanccu OPY |