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Show DECEMBER 13, 2000. WASATCH COUNTY BS Heber’ s 550 N orth: The Story Behind the Blockade KIRSTEN SHAW COURIER STAFF eles ne of Heber City’s most valu- able pieces measures of property, approximately on the east side of the barrier. | er’s private enterprise. Her father, Jay Gordon, developed the eight feet by 50 feet. But there is no mistaking the land, they claim, protects them from the commotion of the subdivi‘sion next-door sense and preserves of security. . They've their fought hard for nearly a decade, but the city is considering whether to remove the | plot that intersects 550 North. Now the battle, which subsided years ago, may begin again. The piece of property separates elles swant to see Aces that, and I dont blame them. The council will decide collector road whether it is a priority, then meet with homeowners property owners to see if we could work it out. Of course, we'd rather work with is 50- feet-wide, subdivision. “Last year a U.PS. truck, short whose driver didn’t notice the blockage, requirement. got stuck. The snow plows usually don’t even plow our street because of the west of the barrier, represented by Moulton, told the Heber City Council in March of 1994 in order to widen the them. Condemnation is a last resort.” proper roads, condemnation. proceedings would have to begin against every residence on oy oe and oo North. police patrol, emergency vehicles and snow plows. He said opening the road complications turning around. I know.a lot of people everywhere want the road. to go through. It is ridiculous.” | - Her neighbor, Jason Davis, doesn’t its stature. Purchased by a group of : agree. neighborhood residents for $5,000, 550 North A Utah Department Transportation engineer, of of the 66 foot Therefore, Adams said cul-de-sacs are problematic for the city, making it difficult for Davis said he is familiar with traffic patterns Moulton said he was not aware of the. city’s intentions. “It’s news to me. This is something we'll have to talk about when we see their proposal. I'd have to talk to the and purchased the property east of the barricade because of its dead-end. “Tt should stay just the @ way it is, that is why owners and we'll have to make I E. Kent Ellertson, who resides at 630 _ Davis. “I don’t see a rea- Fast 550 North, is strongly opposed to son to open it. There is not opening the road. He said homeowners would likely take the matter. to court, if necessary. “Tt is important for them to realize a traffic demand that justifies opening or condemning it. Fifth North serves the purpose just fine.” | the owners purchased their homes with | the idea it was a cul-de-sac. There are Heber’s 550 North causes concern. several ins and outs now, it’s not need- to be built, a group of homeowners. represented by Michael ed. We would be very against digging _ about a dozen, older homes in north| Entrances to the development were east Heber from the residents of. Moulton and former Heber Mayor changed, and Heber halted attempts to Mountain View Estates. The small plot Gordon Mendenhall, fought the proposopen 550 North. But the city is con- is reinforced by railroad ties and three young Aspen trees planted to deter drivers from crossing it. It is evident from the numerous tire tracks in the grass on the less-obstructed north many drivers refuse side that to respect the boundary. Cars can be seen screeching | to a halt as they almost crash into the minute diversion. “We've had a lot of. iB Gens with people driving over our lawn, almost said Amber Gordon OL nightly,” who up the front of lots to widen the road,” said Ellertson. Ellertson said the city council should w JUNE , ; 2A TU Get chocolate! Bo ac cam Eo cc | The aiays ae stern the corner & Im ready to give my very best chocolate milk this season! Thanks to Midway Chocolates my ue - al to connect the subdivision to 550 cerned with traffic flow and emergency ‘consider the effect opening the road North. They had purchased the proper- _access, said Mayor Lynn Adams, and would have on the safety of the children ‘ty to prevent the road from being soon the council will discuss | new traveling to the J.R. Smith school. He . opened. Their primary grievance was - options. 7 said 550 North usage would increase the plan to make the street one of two “It’s a lene thas coming. It needs to traffic on 550 East. | ingresses and egresses into the develbe joined up. We've discussed it for sevOne resident, who wishes to remain opment. They also noted the street was eral years. The city’s intent is to eventuanonymous, Said the group would fight — recorded by the county as a cul-de-sac, ally put a road through there. We want- hard to oppose the opening of 550 not dead-end. Mendenhall contended ed to wait for construction east of it to North. She said the cul-de-sac “protects that condemnation of the property be done so construction trucks are not families,” but added. the battle is would be illegal, claiming it would only going through,” said Adams. “I’m sure “between us and the city.” : _ be for the personal gain of the developthe landowners in the cul-de-sac don’t - gaa oe a deci- sion together,” said Moulton. bought the house,” said $ . 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