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Show HI Lehi Free Press New Utah! - Wednesday, September 15, 1999 - Page 6 Election News Challenges meet new town Main issues that candidates will address are unique to the community By Tiffany Shapiro Eagle Mountain is a new town which creates unique challenges. The upcoming race for mayor and two town council positions presents some interesting issues to the candidates. Some main issues affecting Eagle Mountain are utilities and impact fees, commercial growth, and the General Plan and Development Code. Utilities The utilities situation is very to Eagle Mountain because the town owns its own phone, electricity, gas, water and sewer systems. These were developed when the town began and ideally will allow the town to receive the revenue from its own utilities, which can then be put back into the town. This can allow for lower property taxes and No profit can be made, though, until the RBAN's, or Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, are paid back. Money is borrowed based on anticipated revenue from the utilities. Each month all money billed for utilities is paid to the bank, which in turn gives a monthly operation budget to the town for managing the utilities. These notes have to be paid back by 2001. Impact fees and utilities will not generate enough revenue to pay them off by then. The town is currently researching their financial options for paying off the unique RBAN's. The current problem is that the capacity of the phone and electrical systems are quickly reaching capacity. The current Town Council is actively pursuing resolutions to these problems by working with engineering firms. Reviews of the systems have taken place and recommendations have been made. Mayor Rob Bateman says he expects that upgrades on these two systems will be complete within one year. There have been cries from the developers and new home buyers that the impact fees are too high. Some developers fear that they are deterring potential home buyers from building in Eagle Mountain. At the Sept. 7 Town Council deadline today for voter registration in order to be able to vote at the primary can still register in person. There will be satellite locations located throughout Utah County for residents, so that they can register in time for the primary. The dates set for the special registration satellite stations are September 24 and 27 from J t3 By Tiffany sponsored by Eagle Mountain Town Center candidates for Town Center residents. Cedar passed an ordinance which would allow partial or full waivers of impact fees to some businesses. It is hoped that this will provide an incentive for businesses to build now, which in turn would entice residential growth and improve the tax base. More rooftops would then encourage commercial development and so on. The Town Council, developers, and residents agree that commercial development is needed, but the issue of impact fees being lowered goes back to the conflicting need to pay off the bonds for the utilities. Plan General The Plan Town Council and Candidates entry garages, and parks in every subdivision to encourage a friendly community and to beau- the town. Golf courses, an airport, and interconnected parks and trails are other drawing points in the General Plan. There has been controversy in the past where some developers and residents have taken issue with some of the design guidelines, such as porch size and fencing restrictions regarding chain-lin-k fence. Both the General Plan and Development Code are currently under review by the Town Council. These are the main issues facing candidates right now. The primary election will take place on Oct. 5, which will narrow the race for the two town council positions from five candidates to four. Voters need to have registered by Sept. 14 in order to participate in the primary election. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you have any questions in regards to registering, the city recordcer or county election office can answer your questions at American Fork: City Offices, 31 North Church St. : Belva Fort Cedar Chamberlain residence at 11 South Hwy 73 Lehi: City offices at 153 North, 100 East. 370-812- 8. (eritage Residents were treated to a free pancake breakfast prepared and paid for by the candidates. They could register to vote, participate in a straw poll, eat a hot breakfast, and listen to music DJed by Josh of webmaster Elledge, www.eaglemountainonline.co m. Nick Berg, of Eagle Mountain Properties, made the announcement that a convenience store and office building are under contract. They should begin on Nov. 1. An LDS Stake Center, is also in process to begin by the end of this year. The event, organized by Bert and Becky Ankrom of Eagle Mountain, included each candidate introducing himself or herself and giving a brief explanation of why he or she was running and what the candidate would like to see happen in the town. The Town Center candi- - e y k- - - w f 'if ' HA f : Photo by Tiffany Shapiro Mark Lofgren, and Brigham Candidates Paul Bond left, residents. Morgan make breakfast for Eagle Mountain A "Meet the Candidates" dates are mayoral candidate Paul Bond, and Town Council night for all of the candidates Juanita will be held on Sept. 29 at 7 candidates Mark Lofgren, p.m. in the Eagle Mountam Christiansen, James Mooring, and Brigham Community Center. Morgan. Eagle Mountain Candidates and Development Code are mainly what make Eagle Mountain so unique. The town is master-planne- d with development codes including eight foot porches, side tify Pass residents Bill candidate Mayoral Chipman and Town Council candidate Greg Kehl were not asked to attend. Questions submitted by residents were posed to the candidates who each took a turn answering. All candidates expressed their concern that the town was not unified and that they would like to see it come together as a community. James Mooring, running for town council, declined to participate in the question and answer portion. "I'm promoting unity and since the Ranches weren't here I didn't want to voice my opinion until they could represent themselves," he said. Closely related is the issue of commercial growth in the town. The Town Council recently Development Code Shapiro residents registered to vote at a pep rally Ninety-fou- r Commercial Growth Registration still possible Eagle Mountains residents that have missed the mail-i- n Eagle Mountain Town Center candidates express concern for future community unity meeting, Nick Berg of Eagle Mountain Properties and Bob Lynds of The Ranches, LC strongly urged the Town Council to revisit the issue of impact fees and see if they can't be lowered to encourage residential growth. The Mayor indicated that they are willing to do that and would like to see lower impact fees. The problem, he said, is that if impact fees are lowered, utility rates may need to be raised which would hurt current residents. "It's not the residents of the community that should guarantee the growth of this communi- ty" General 1 "I don't want Eagle Mountain to be another Salt Lake. I out came here because of the vision, that's what kept mjef Mark Lofgren here. growth is controlled it can be a very good thing." Utilities: "It's a tough issue, because the question is are we Dgoing to be able to pay them off, and, 2) are we going to,bef able to make money off of them if we pay them. We just need to see how things occur." Commercial Growth: "This is one of the most important things we need to focus in on, in order to pay the utilities off and bring in more houses. We have to start small, but we have to start somewhere." and Development Code: "I don't think they're too strict at all. As with everything there's going to be some give and take, but we can't let it bend so far it's going to break. The vision behind General Plan those documents was really profound and I think we have the beginnings of a very beautiful and amazing city." What would you like to see happen .with the town? "I'd like to see it become self- - sufficient, I mean schools, churches, businesses that support our needs. I want us to become a city, but again I don't want to vary from the Development Code in the process. "I'm kind of concerned about the schooling issue. I believe full-fledg- everybody here who wants to send their kids to school should have the opportunity. It's important for the city that we have schools. It was really disheartening when the Alpine School District chose to put the school in West Lehi. Next to commercial growth I think this is the next important issue in the town." Why should you be elected? "I've been involved in the community. I know the issues and I know what's going on. I feel I'd represent the people in the city center. If I am elected I'm in for the whole four years. I want to see the city become what it can Lots of New Fall Specials a Mrbaiiherit's!. become." su-tv'- it.'JT.l , r- . -i "I want to help get this town united and bring them together. I just want to see us grow and become a X I Co- - stable a x t community." Calico Kittens Kimball Furniture 1 lot of peo Christiansen don't ple realize that because this town is in its infancy it doesn't have the maturity of Salt Lake or other cities. Other communities started out with these problems, too, but it's been so long people don't remember. We're just seeing the growing pains." Commercial Growth: "We need to do something to lower the impact fees and entice the businesses working with the businesses instead of regulating them so much. I support reducing impact fees for commercial businesses and for the develop "A Glider Rockers ATTsT ' Lots of nice Fall and Holiday Fabrics, including checks & plaids! fm true! AT&T now offers 3 new calling plans that allow unlimited wireless calling Detween you and up to 4 of your family members AlSri I amity Flan $24.99 For June & July 2000 Summer Tours. 5pm (1) hour meeting . Saturday September 18th. American Fork High School Auditorium. 510 N. 600 E. American Fork vtm mm atafa? mmn &&&& f 11 Your Seasonal Headquarters! . This is a must meeting if you want to go! w sm V- )- 41 FREE calls on my wireless phone!!! 0 Applications handed out. Applications need to be returned by mail HQO00 deposit (Due with application) r and Best Chair Utilities: Juanita Yes, it's and make things not work." What would you like to see happen with the town? "My husband and I run the youth council and the sports program. I want to see the town stand behind our children and work for them. They're the future leaders and we need to teach them to be hard working and honest. I want other cities and see CANDIDATES page 7 ers. and Plan General Development Code: "The concept is wonderful. That's what sold us on the town. I like the uniqueness of each neighborhood and each subdivision. But if a subdivision wants to be a little bit different that's ok. 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