|
|||
  
 
 |
By Rachel Jefferies
NORTH LOGAN -- Growth in a small city can bring hefty changes. With roads, water and a new low-impact design demanding major chunks of the city's agenda, Mayor Val Potter says. "the challenge is to plan well and do it right." Urbanization, or rapid residential growth covering 4,300 acres, has brought North Logan to its current population of about 7,000 residents. Though not sure on where all the growth is actually coming from, it has actually slowed to 3 to 4 percent, down from the 6 to 7 percent from just a few years ago, City Administrator Jeff Jorgensen said. As of April 16, a community comparison report by the Cache County School District shows North Logan elementary students, K-5, dropping from 726 in 1997 to 663 in 2002. While these numbers also show Smithfield "holding the status quo" and Clarkston with the highest student growth rate, student enrollment doesn't necessarily reflect the actual residential growth, said Business Administrator Dale Hansen said. The Thomas Edison Charter School likely contributed to the loss of some of those student numbers in North Logan schools. There;s no doubt the city is experiencing effects of growth. "This brings new and interesting people that will make the city stronger," the mayor said. "It creates good youth sports programs, improved recreation such as the parks and growth for the library." With every pro, however, a con naturally follows. "Crime has gone up," the mayor said. "And, of course, there is the pressure on the roads." In general, roads are a huge expense and carry long-term importance because they're seen on a regular basis, the mayor said. With potholes and congestion, there are many roads to maintain or expand. There are still a lot of rural areas that will have to house proposed new roads, also. Additional roads bring a need to develop a low-impact development (LID) standard that comprises a roadway design least impacting to the natural topography and minimizes pollution to the environment, while maintaining functionality. In 2000, the Utah Association of Conservation Districts in cooperation with the city received grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Utah Soil Conservation Commission for the development of LID design standards for residential and collector roadways. Stantec Consulting of Salt Lake City was hired to develop these standards with assistance from several city departments and Utah State University's botanical center. According to a February 2001 report prepared by Stantec, low impact designs are advantageous because "they reduce pavement widths, minimize impervious (resistant) surfaces, reduce stormwater pollution, promote slower automobile speeds and are less expensive to construct and maintain than traditional methods." Traditional designs in Utah generally consist of curbs and gutters on both sides of the street to collect stormwater runoff, but these areas are unreceptive to rainfall and snowmelt. Therefore, after storms, precipitation does not seep into the ground but flows into gutters and, eventually, into rivers, streams and lakes, picking up pollutants along the way. The idea of using LID standards is to have less water in curbs, ditches and canals and more in the ground, Jorgensen said. It is hoped that this method will save on water pollution and become a model that could be used anywhere. The report also states that traditional standards "leave little or no room for green space, such as grasses, shrubs and trees. The lack of vegetation discourages walkers, joggers and other pedestrians from using sidewalks for recreational activities and birds and other wildlife from occupying areas along the roadway." LID designs incorporate vegetation for an aesthetic appeal. As part of the Phase II Rules in the report, public education and participation are required as part of the Utah Pollution Discharge Elimination System, permit coverage for storm water discharges. Workshops have been held to educate developers on low moisture plants and similar issues, Jorgensen said. In the city's Feb. 17, 2001, general plan amendment revision, the following were suggested low impact practices for residents in reducing pollution and storm water runoff: · Wash cars on the grass instead of the driveway and use phosphate-free soaps. · When landscaping, use a broom rather than a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways, and divert garden hoses onto grass or garden areas. · Properly store and label pollutants such as metals, grease and chemicals to minimize contact with water sources. · Regularly inspect and repair motor vehicle leaks, clean spills quickly with dry methods and recycle used motor oil. While roadways are a major factor in growth, many residents have raised concern about limited water supply, as well. While water is "a big issue," the mayor said, "I don't see it as critical" as others do. Water will be adequate for a few years. Ultimately, it's about determining new sources for storage, permits, water sources and tapping into those sources. The city also faces transfer of development rights (TDR) to preserve open space and heighten density in other areas. For example, decisions will have to be made on transferring some of the east bench area to the center of the city, Jorgensen said. The TDR ordinance is funded by the state quality growth commission. While growth is "expected to slow a little for the next year, it's anticipated to pick up and remain steady for 10 to 15 years," the mayor said. "I think a lot of the developable land will be filled up by then." Investigation is ongoing for setting up a redevelopment agency which can help in designating areas for commercial and manufacturing development, as well. Currently, the only approved business growth is a Hampton Inn next to Lynn's Audio and Video on Main Street, the mayor said. Possible plans for a restaurant have also been discussed but not finalized. Others are looking, but "with the current recession in the economy, there isn't as much buying going on." What's nice about North Logan is it's still close to everything, yet maintains its own identity, the mayor said. With its own recreation, police department and library, the city has a "hometown feel" people are partial to. Many people moving in are just "people who have been here, who are already in the valley and are just upgrading. "Now that I'm here, I joke about the attitude that some have to lock the gates and not let anyone else in," the mayor said. "But we're in a position to respect landowners as well as the citizens. We have to follow laws and rights to zone property and make it good for the city. We'll take the good with the bad. We want to make this a nice and livable city."
NW |
||