By Jamie Karras

MENDON -- With comfort levels on the rocks and the room tight with tension, the City Council finally made a decision regarding a new development that has its sights set for the northeast side of Mendon.

Paul Taylor, developer of Pheasant Hollow phase III, presented two possible plots for the subdivision to the council. The original plot had been presented to the planning and zoning commission at last month's meeting, but because of mixed feelings and concerns the commission felt it would be good for the city council to get their heads involved.

"What it really comes down to is who will bear the burden of the traffic," said Councilwoman Leslie Larson.

Taylor met with some of the some citizens concerned about just that and came up with an alternate plan. The original plot depicted a diagonal thoroughfare connecting Mendon Road to 700 North which would increase traffic dramatically. In the new plot, the diagonal road still exists but it doesn't connect to 700 North, instead it makes a 90-degree turn and connects back onto Main, according to a layout shown at the meeting.

Ron Campbell, a resident who would have to bear the burden of increased traffic if the original plan were to be implemented, was pleased with the new one. Campbell said that should it be chosen the advantages are less total feet of street to maintain and better flood control.

"I can't see any advantage to the [original] plot," he said.

Larson agreed. Because this neighborhood is more densely populated than other areas in the city there are health and safety issues surrounding it, she said.

Another issue that concerned the council was water. In the new plot there would need to be a designated place for a water line to go. Taylor and the council discussed two possible options: putting in an easement or giving the city a 20-foot right of way where the road would have connected.

Councilman Rodney Sorensen voiced his concerns by saying that if it were an easement, should that land get developed, residents would be upset when their yards were dug up in order to maintain the water line. Also in the other scenario who would maintain the land where a 20-foot right of way would be put?

Larson mentioned that in most cases residents don't own their full lots, there are parts that the city owns for utilities or road expansion, but residents landscape it anyway because it adds to the rest of their yards. A prospective owner of the land spoke up and said that he would gladly maintain it, whether it was an easement or a right of way.

With issues out on the table and opinions voiced, the council was still undecided. Decision in hand, Councilman Steve Sorensen moved that the council go ahead with the new plot and include a 20-foot right of way for the water line. His motion sat for a moment and then died because of lack of a second.

"That's all right, when it comes around again I'll vote the same," said Sorensen.

Frustrated, the council decided that a decision needed to be made before the meeting adjourned; they couldn't keep tabling issues forever. Pros and cons were listed and discussed one more time.

"We're not going to make everybody happy," said Mayor Sydney Larson. "Question is, what is right for the community?" The quality of life in Mendon is better than the achieving the ultimate road plan.

"That's why people live here," said the mayor.

Councilwoman Larson offered an idea for a possible third plot. What if the city were to go ahead with the second plot, only keep one of the lots where the 90-degree curve is open for a possible through road? she asked. This way the original idea isn't a closed subject later.

Rodney Sorensen felt that a connecting road was ultimately necessary and was pleased with this idea.

With that, Councilwoman Larson moved that the council proceed with the second plot, but with an added change. A 66-foot road right of way would be dedicated to the city for a possible route that could connect the new subdivision to 700 North. Rodney Sorensen was quick to second the motion and the vote was unanimous.

Taylor will now draw up the third plot and present it for further approval.

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