Farmington Citizens

Here is a local story that is outside the focus of this political website but is still relevant to the Farmington community.

The SLTrib highlights the float built by the Farmington Utah Stake:  "An incredible, edible . . . float?"

This is a fantastic float that has already been featured in a number of Davis County parades.  The detail and labor that went into building this float is amazing.

The Clipper is running an article on Station Park today: "Station Park ‘unlike anything else in Utah’".  This article is similar to the SL Tribune's article reported on earlier: SLTrib Reports on Farmington's Station Park. CenterCal must be making a PR push by inviting "officials" to check out the model on the heals of a August 13th ground breaking ceremony.

The image included with the Clipper article is of a model that doesn't model the entire development.  You will notice there isn't depicted the big box retail strip of buildings that border the east side of the development.  This big box element of the development isn't touted very much in the media and by CenterCal.  Showing yet another big box retail development isn't going to get much attention.  However when things start to get built the big box retail is going to be a major part of the visual experience and a detraction.  Everyone needs to keep in check the reality of what this development is as a whole.  Yes, there are nice elements of the development but a two acre park will not offset the eye sore of hundreds of thousands of square feet of big box retail.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports today on the Station Park development here in Farmington, Utah.  "Davis County city plans shopping, offices, town-square adjacent to commuter rail station".

The article gives an idea of what is to be in the development:

"By spring 2010, Station Park will feature a main plaza with restaurants and shops on the main levels of 10 buildings, office space on the stories above, a hotel, 15-screen movie theater, performance pavilion and 2-acre park. Four other buildings to the north would include more office and retail space. To the west, 11 to 15 large retailers are planned."

If you look at the plot map of the development the "large retailers" will be on the east side of the development not the west as the Trib reported.

Farmingtoncitizens.org previously posted the list of possible tenets:  "Update Station Park Site Plan".    The list came directly from CenterCal's website.

Farmington's elected officials are real anxious to get retail development going in Farmington.  This project has been a major focus for Mayor Harbertson.  Hopefully Farmington's quest for sales tax revenue will not cloud their judgement in advocating a quality development.  Having JCPenny (rumored to be the largest tenant) as an anchor doesn't seem to put the developments retail pursuits on a good footing.  The 2 acre park and performance pavilion are nice touches though. 

Hopefully this development won't be a island in the City where Farmington residents will avoid going. Since there are no sidewalks leading to the development from west-side neighborhoods nearby residents may avoid piling kids into the car just to make the short drive.

The SL Trib has reported on the Legacy Parkway trail system. UDOT after a year will not maintain the trail system requiring the Cities along the trail to pay for the cost of maintainence. Here is the story: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9788202

CenterCal has posted to their website an updated site plan for the Station Park development. The prior version of the site plan was reported here: "New Site Plan from CenterCal for Station Park Development in Farmington"

This new site plan is dated May 5, 2008 and includes the following business:

• Best Buy
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Ulta
• Home Goods
• Ross Dress for Less
• JC Penny (Main Anchor)
• Famous Footwear
• Lane Bryant
• Carters
• Staples
• Cinemark Theater (15 screens 2640 seats)
• Barnes and Nobel
• Hotel

The site plan also includes these non-retail features:

• Performance Pavillion
• Town Square Park

Here is a list of shops and restaurants no longer on the site plan (not to imply that won't ultimately be in the development):

• Whole Foods
• Target
• Old Navy
• Crate & Barrel
• ULTA
• DSW
• Cost Plus World Market
• Nordstrom Rack
• Claim Jumper

 

The Deseret News reports that parcels in the North Legacy corridor will be purchased. The land is in Roy and West Kaysville. Funds to purchase the parcels come from the $10 increase in Davis County vehicle registration tax.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700228908,00.html

UTA has announce that April 26, 2008 will be opening day for Frontrunner. Here the press release: http://www.rideuta.com/mediaRoom/pressReleases.aspx?pressReleaseID=704

Deseret News reports that April 26, 28-30 there will be no fare to ride. May 1st fare will be required: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265038,00.html

For now faith in our legislative officials has been restored. The Deseret Morning News reports that the House has amended SB208. The House stripped Senator Killpack's SB208 bill of Eminent Domain powers.

Today the Senate has since ratified the amendments the House made to the bill. Looks like the new watered down bill is onto the Governor's desk.

What the House left in the bill was the requirement that municipalities now have to notify UDOT when there is an application for entitlement work (zoning changes, etc.) on a land where UDOT wants to build a road. UDOT will have 30 days to offer (not condemn as before) to purchase the land from the property owner. If UDOT can't get its act together then the entitlement application moves forward.

Since the bill had been stripped of is threatening Eminent Domain language Farmington Citizens will be able to rest easy that this battle is over. On to the next battle. I'm sure Senator Killpack will be back again in the future to change the rules and force the connector road right through the heart of west Farmington. I'm elated to know that Rep. Brad Lee thought it was prudent that corridor alignment issues be brought before elected municipal officials for consideration rather than bypass public input by giving eminent domain powers to unelected bureaucrats.

Please send a note of appreciation to Rep Brad Lee for his wisdom. You can find contact information for him here: http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=11

SB208 has passed the Senate without any opposition.  The bill is with the House at this time.  Please contact your Representative in the House and express you opposition to the bill.   To see current progress of the bill go to this page:

http://le.utah.gov/~2008/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0208.htm 

Senators Killpack, Bell and Eastman-

Appose SB 208.

Senator Killpack, there is no benefit to giving UDOT more eminent domain power.

Legislation that gives UDOT more power should be replaced with legislation that would require UDOT to go through a series of checks and balances that would provide Utah residents with the best road and freeway designs available with the least impact to families and their homes, communities and the environment.

UDOT has proven over time that they are unwilling to do the work necessary before making decisions that have such drastic negative impacts.

Apposition to this bill is in the best interest of every Utah resident.

I anticipate a response with the position you will take on this bill.

Thank you for your time-

Nate Creer, MBA
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