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Show LUK&SiCI LAKESIDE fievlsw Farmington tables development By SUSAN TANNER HOLMES Standard-Examin- correspondent ' FARMINGTON - The city council tabled a proposal by d Olsen to reclassify approximately 32.5 acres west of the D&RG railroad tracks and south of 500 South in west Farmington to a planned unit development. Residents in the area opposed the development because of water problems, drainage issues in the area and proposed lot sizes. The mayor and council set up a council, planning commission, and citizen committee to work with the developer to bring in an acceptable design. The proposed 52-lsubdivision would have less than the 15 percent open space required for the 15 percent density conservation bonus, a bonus allowing the developer to increase the number of lots if they plan open space into the project. Olsen also wanted to hold a major portion of the open space personally as horse pasture with a conservation deed. The proposed open space was not accessible to the public. The planning commission had earlier referred the project to the city council with a Can-dlan- - ot A previous Olsen subdivision in the same area has major water drainage problems, according to residents. We have a two-foot Claims From 1 plan, clustering, sleight of hand, open space, envision Utah, flood plains, flood plain impacts, water rights, new puddles, fairness to all developers, hazards. Great Salt Lake management, return flow water management, wetlands and open space management, development costs, foot- hills ordinances, fragile environment, and emotion and power. They have some valid concerns, said Larry Haugen, city council member. They are concerned about their animal rights and that protection needs to be written into an ordinance. There are two different philosophies and we need to work together, said Haugen. We need to set ordinances. If we dont have something set in stone, developers will go around it and put in minor things and say, forget you. The citizens wrote, Although many Farmington residents have tried to speak about the issues surrounding west Farmington development, many have expressed their frustration that what they have to say falls upon deaf ears. That the decisions have already been made in private rooms before the public meetings are convened. i Two years ago when develop lake in our backyard, said Heidi Ritz, whose property line touches Olsens first development. We are impacted on three sides. The development area is in a designated FEMA flood zone, said Danielle Nelson, who lives near the development. I pay $1,200 a year in flood insurance and its ridiculous. d David Wilding, hired by Olsen to design the project, said that he was not involved with the first phase. We have complied with all ordinances and done what has been asked of us, he said. This is the present direction the city has given to us. We know we have a high water table and surface water, but I have not been hired to fix Phase Can-dlan- I. Ted Alexander, who lives around the corner from the proposed development, said, We were told that half-acre-s were the minimum lot size. With a halfacre you can raise a cow for or have a horse. We have a wonderful new horse complex down there and I hope we can maintain the agricultural setting. We have valuable property. Get creative with half-acr- e lots, have ranchettes. This is a chance to do what we want to do, said Tonna Bounds, who lives near the development. lots What part of half-acr- e dont developers understand? 4-- H ment started to pop in west Farmington, said Bell, the city engineer designed a street scape to ensure a rural atmosphere. We are charging hefty impact fees to developers to address flooding and storm sewer systems, he said. We are doing the best we can under our engineers guidance. Last fall the city hired conservation specialist Randall Arendt to review the open space needs and planning issues in north, south and especially west Farmington. Arendt worked with the developers of the proposed 719-acWheeler Ranch properties development on an open space plan. re Bell stressed during the coun- cil meeting where these citizen charges were made that, We do not seek development, we discourage it. Citywide, our impact fees are over $3,000 per lot and over $5,000 per lot in west Farmington. We offer developers no incentives. Being heard is a major concern for the citizen group. Although we have on many occa- sions tried to convey our concerns to city officials, we find the proponents of development plans being accorded time to make lengthy presentations in public meetings, but those opposing particular or general plans being severely limited in their opportunities to speak and be said Tom Petersen, who lives around the comer from the proI foresee posed development. the open space concept in west Farmington being left to unbuild-abl- e property. We want an agricultural lifestyle. Open space to me is my back acre with four little sheep. We are on a collision of two philosophies, said Mayor Gregory S. Bell. This council has, on a continuous basis, confronted the issues of development. We do not seek development. We discourage it. Our impact fees are over $3,000 per lot throughout the city and $5,000 per lot in west Farmington. We offer developers no incentives. In response to residents fears that the city had already decided to go ahead with the project. Bell said, What do you think of us? Do you think we are meeting in secret? We are not doing that. No decisions have been made. But do we want to look like South Jordan, a cookie-cutt- er subdivi- sion again and again? No. So this council said, What are our alternatives? How do we preserve the rural flavor? We have found a concept that is innovative and has been used across the nation. So far we are very pleased The with it, Bell continued. concept is called conservation planning, with open space available to the public for walking and heard, tice. said Bounds in the no- - At the council meeting where this notice was given, the developer took 15 minutes to present his development and answer questions from the city council. We spent over two hours listening to public comment. It finally ended when there were no more speakers, said Bell. In response to the citizen complaints that decisions are being made behind closed doors. Bell said, Its just not true. We dont make decisions, we dont talk together without a public meeting where there are usually citizens and the press. There are many public meetings on each development where public comment is invited, said Bell. We endeavor to give everyone and anyone a chance to express their views. He said there are usually six reviews in public meetings before the Planning Commission, six reviews in public meetings before the city council and at least four public hearings on every development. In trails. But theres a trade-oforder to encourage developers, f. we give a density bonus, said. said City Councilman Gary Elliott. I will continue to hold to half-acr- e lots. I haven't changed. If people half-acr- e South Weber council approves budget in west Farmington lots, so be it. But whos going to take care of those lots? I think Olsen needs to take care of the water in the first phase first, said Larry Haugen, city councilman. I have a problem with the veloper fencing in two acres for his horse and calling that open space, said Pat Achter. Ive been here 11 years and seen things happen I didnt want to see happen. Theres something wrong with lot to lot, fence to fence. de- projects; while projected expenditures decreased by $31,000 for1 building safety and streets. By LORI J. NAKAYU Standard-Examine- My thinking of open space does not include unbuildable mountainsides and swamps, r correspondent SOUTH WEBER - In a sparsely attended meeting, the ! Overall, adjustments to reve-- j nues and expenditures for fiscal 1997-9- 8 resulted in a net increase to both categories of $48,417. South Weber City Council approved the 1998-9- 9 budget and budget reopened the 1997-9- 8 for some adjustments. Some minor adjustments to the 1 997-9- 8 budget were needed to maintain a balanced budget. Adjustments to budgeted ; revenues included increases totaling $75,417. The increase was offset by $27,000 of revenues coming in under the amount originally anticipated. The increased revenue came from business licenses. Class C road fund, zoning and subdivision fees, fines and miscellaneous interest earned. The areas that came in under projected revenues included property in lieu of redemptions taxes, sales, building permits, state liquor, building rental and recreation. Budgeted expenditures were increased by $79,417 in the categories of judicial, general street safety, fire, class C roads, parks, other, and transfer to capital The only change from the preliminary 1998-9- 9 budget to the approved budget was that! $78,000 had been allocated foil the city's contract with the Sher--j iffis Department and the bid came back at $75,916. The re-- ; maining $2,084 was put into a fund to help pay for radios and equipment needed when city services are switched to a fCS cently mandated 800mhz rad,J5 frequency. Council member Jack Frosl said that council members had put in considerable time and hours over the budget to come up with what he considered "a reasonable and prudent budget for fiscal year 1998-9He commended Kathy Poll, South Webers finance director, for her efforts in putting the budget together. " - 9. development, the city council voted to table the developers request in order to look at water, lot size and open space issues. In addition, several citizens were appointed to a committee to work with the developer, two city council members, and a Planning Commission member to improve the developments design. In relation to the total population of Farmington, the population of west Farmington is relatively small, but for years, ever since west Farmington was incorporated, the council has appointed a west Farmington resident to the Planning Commission. There are always different elements, but Niels Plant, who finterm of office ished his four-yein December, spent a lot of time trying to find out what the people are thinking, said Bell. A west Farmington resident was chosen term in Januto serve a four-yeary 1998. ar Siitutihiv, July 18, 8 00 p m. ? I .TV MY : 4 v z Mjrk Lindsay has void over 50 million records as the lead vocalist on all of the Raiders' hits. Relive the WS as he sings all ot thrive hilv including favorites such as bhlhin RtMnxitut, Anothi, Kuks, bnik Louie. Hungry. S U'ppmtM, and many more! l'S4 TotUy says "Mark Lindsay Is possibly better than bet ore. ..he looks and sounds great and tv a potent showman" 31 M I pi I t I i t fe p p DARD-EXA- "s j ll t ir ft ' r J . 1 Reserved Scut inf jUuihTblcL' I i t'T i 31 J5SJ i565 gt'iHTiil, riM'nVil: $18 SI6S8S ar V I think we are listening, said Haugen. I want to talk to more of the citizens myself and sec if we can find common ground. No one wants to see a lot of little tiny lots that in 20 years will become a slum. he Weve been extremely aggressive about property for public use, said Bell. We like the concept of conservation planning and encourage developers to use this concept. Thats how we got there. I ask you not to question the motives of this council. Were here to listen. want 3 Saturday, June 27, 1998 l 3T Li After a recent public hearing on a proposed west Farmington ffp For Information call (KOI) Aiiult i Vhmv w t IfiUl f htnvli . Price Effective June 27, 1998 SATURDAY ONLY! Budget From 2 .XTiurch. Carillon bells are being .installed at the church, located On Mountain Road near City ' Hall. In a letter to the council. Runnels stated, Our church is pleased that we are able to ex- pand our music program to include the music of carillons ring- ing during carefully selected times of the day. Runnells told the council that the bells will toll the noon hour each day, and on Sunday will ring a call to church at 10 a.m., followed by pealing at the beginning of church services at 10.30 a.m. On special occasions, such as 'Christmas, the bells will also be rung. The bells, which are actually digitally produced tones, are a gift from one of the church members, according to Runnells. Were very sensitive to the fact that some people in the commucarilnity may not be used to We can lons," said Runnells. turn the sound up and down in areas. The capability of them is beyond description. They are very magical bells." Runnells indicated that a demonstration of the bells is planned for some time in the fall. We dont want to violate anyone s We want privacy, he stated. used to to able get be to people it, then start some music with it, at Christmastime." Asking for constructive comments from interested citizens. Runnells invited people to call or the church office at him personally at The council also discussed up 546-021- 544-522- R COPY r dated information regarding problems related to a chip and seal project gone awry. The work performed by fife Rock Products in the late summer of 1997 as part of the citys street maintenance has resulted in numerous citizen complaints and council headaches. In a report to the council. City Engineer Kent Jones stated, Ibe asphalt emulsion is very soft and tack and is bleeding up through the No Rain Checks After 8 p.m. rock chip surface. The chips are not firmly embedded and can be easily removed by minor twisting and normal roadway traffic. Jones said residents are trackinto their homes with resulting damage to floors, carpet, clothing, etc. ing this residue Tests on the emulsion are rently inconclusive. cur- Council members arc considering several plans to address the problem. 33: EVAPORATIVE COOLERS SAVE ON ALL SIZES All Work Guaranteed Expert Installations Legs on All Jobs Financing Available Md CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING High Ef?ioencyEnergy All Savings Work Guaranteed Free Estimates Limit 4 Roasts Per Family 520 South Slate. Clearfield 36 520 South State, Clearfield 2330 East 33rd South 36 ZEuJ NOW IN LAYTON AT 8 SOUTH FAIRFIELD ROAD KAO South 1.100 2029 Ert 70th South 3frtl Smith Wasutch Boulowd WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES. lSSO NO DEALERS Smith Footlall BouWurd . |