By Rachel Jefferies

NORTH LOGAN -- New development plans for the city are in the works, with the Planning Commission's approval of an orthopedic facility and support of a possible 60-lot subdivision plan.

The commission unanimously voted Thursday night to accept a conditional use permit for a new orthopedic building in the hospital zone.

Cache Valley Specialty Hospital is "running out of space in the area it has now," Bob Petroff, architect for the project, said. "I believe we can build a nice (orthopedic) building."

Although the orthopedic facility would be under separate ownership from the hospital, it would reside in the hospital zone, near the existing specialty hospital, and would be used by doctors from the hospital.

Uses in this zone must be associated with the hospital, Cordell Batt, city planner, said. "These uses were planned for. It's nothing new, shouldn't be a surprise. They really do need this space."

The facility will have an "Alpine look" with concrete masonry and panels, said Ken Lester of Alpine Orthopedics, one of the project owners.

The building will have a clean and modern look, Lester said. "I hope it's a project we can all be proud of."

By May 8, the commission would like to make a decision on resident Bill Dalebout's concept plan for a 60-lot density-based subdivision. Dalebout proposed about a five-year development plan for his 61.14 acres located at about 3450 North 1800 East.

While the commission showed mostly support for the plan, "we'd like to continue this to the next meeting and think it through more," Commissioner Russell Goodwin said. The commission will meet on the property to assess possibilities for Dalebout's Bridlewood Subdivision.

Dalebout was concerned with the desires of Hyde Park, since the property borders between Hyde Park and North Logan, as well as establishing a homeowners' association which would require all lot owners to help in maintaining the open space surrounding the clustered lots. The plan allows open space to flow in between clusters of lots roughly one half acre each.

"People seem to like the idea of a homeowners' association until something actually has to be done," Dalebout said.

Those types of associations are usually not done here because of the lack of masses of lots, Commissioner Cary Watkins said. With 60 lots, however, "you're getting close" to needing "tightened responsibility" in order to maintain a subdivision of that size.

Watkins commended Dalebout for creating "added value" by including buffer zones, enough open space for homeowners to "move around" and cul-de-sacs that can provide a "greater sense of community, less traffic and discouraged speeding."

This may also be an opportune time to increase densities more, Watkins said. This would require a change in zoning that currently requires lots to be no less than half an acre, but "I don't see why we can't do that."

A higher density would make it easier to increase yield, or profits, and reduce water usage, a high concern for North Logan at this time, Dalebout said. "By taking the same number of lots and just reducing the size, the water use would automatically go down."

This would ease Commissioner Don Huber's concern about limited amounts of water increasing in the future. Dalebout said he was determined to do research on possibilities for plants and "hardscaping" such as patios and decks that "could become a model for the city and valley.

"We'd love to work with you and in harmony to the city ordinances," Dalebout said. "We'd like a cooperative effort with the city. We're very much open to input, to discussion--to make this worthwhile for the city."

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TJ

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