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Show Guardian of Your Community News Mapleton drafts plan for trails, transportation Judith Everett STAFF WRITER The Mapleton planning commission has released its draft of the proposed transportation and trails master plan for the city. The goal of the plan is to revise and bring into compliance guidelines and rules for the creation of streets and trails in Mapleton. "Growth within the last few decades has required the city to renew its efforts to plan for the provision of adequate streets to meet the demands of existing, proposed and future growth," according to the master plan draft. Cory Branch, Planning Director for Mapleton city, said the main thing the city felt was needed was an updated chart and written policies. The city has gone through some periods of lax planning over the years and now, with so many new developments going in, it's time things are updated and definitions narrowed. There have been so many developments in the last few decades that some of the policies were not adhered to and many streets are not in compliance as a result. The city intends to curb this problem completely. According to the draft master plan, "Upon adoption, the transportation plan shall be strictly followed in order to provide the safe and efficient movement of people and vehicles now and in the entinel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 1 , 2010 • AS Festival of Colors future." The recent economic downturn slowed new construction to a halt, but already new growth has started. The new master plan is expected to be in effect before development gets into full swing again. "Mapleton was and is going to continue experiencing exponential growth and we need to be prepared for that," said Branch Along with street planning, the transportation master plan includes up- "Mapleton was and is going to experience exponential growth." Chad Carter/ Tfie Sentinel - Cory Branch dated considerations for safe and efficient trails throughout the city. These include biking, walking and horseback-riding trails. "Trails are an important element to the transportation system and can improve the overall quality of life for the community," according to the draft master plan. The transportation and trails master plan is still in draft form, and will be put before the planning commission at least once more before going to the city council for final approval. The draft master plan can be viewed on the city's website: www. mapleton.org. 20 years: mixing family relations in From SHEPHERD'S • A8 the workplace. Kathie said one morning their vinyl wood, laminates, cork and sales rep came in while Kent and Kathie were havmany other options. "If it goes on a floor, ing an argument. "We were screamwe do it," Kent said. ing back and forth in the About seven years ago, Kent said he wanted to store," she said. "It was diversify out of flooring. really a murderous situaHe knew a business owner tion" In spite of occasionally in Nephi named Dwayne conflicts, the Shepherds Robinson who ran a furniture store, and Robinson made it through, and so wanted to expand into sell- did their business. They' ve ing floors, so they helped been married 30 years next each other extend their month, and their business stores. Kathie said they've continues to grow. The really enjoyed carrying Shepherds are looking to furniture, and Kent said expand into a bigger buildthey are going to be bring- ing again. They want to build a building that will ing in mattresses soon. "People shouldn't have suit their needs, but have to drive up north for a new not found a lot that will accommodate them. mattresses," Kent said. "We need a location Kathie said that from a very young age Kent estab- with full access to the lished a reputation for his public eye," Kent said. perfectionism in installing "We really want to stay in carpet, and people would Spanish Fork, but we don't call and request him spe- know if we' 11findwhat we cifically to do their floors. need here." Kent's family has lived That tradition of excellence has continued in the in Spanish Fork for five store, and they are willing generations, so he has reato travel outside of the val- son to want to keep his ley to install. They've tak- business in town. en jobs all over Utah ValKent said they are alley, and into Sanpete and ways looking to expand. even Millard County. "In this business you "We'll go wherever if either grow or you die, so the price is right," Kent we'll take this baby we bought and the animal it's said. One of the challenges turned into, and make it of a family business is bigger," Kent said. WELCOMING SPRING: The festival of colors, or Holi, at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, has been ; touted as the largest H:•". celebration in the United States. Thousands of visitors descended on the temple Saturday, March 27 in : two separate celebrations, welcoming the arrival of spring with music, dancing,! a bon fire and clouds of I colored dust. I |