VOTERS' GUIDE: North Logan candidates focus on development issues

By Natalie Andrews

November 4, 2005 | NORTH LOGAN -- The final elections for mayor and two council positions are Tuesday. Development is the focus for all of the candidates. Candidates are worried about urban sprawl and don't want to just be known as the city with the Wal-Mart. When asked about what they would do different regarding zoning issues, all said they want to push the restart button.

Incumbent councilwoman Elaine Nelson would rewrite the general plan for zoning to allow for mixed use developments.

Richard Marlowe, running for a council position, wants a plan set in stone. This stems from agricultural property being bought for a potential city cemetery. "I'm amazed at how month after month we have rezoning meetings in this city," he said. "I think we need to set zones and have them hold."

City Center

The one development issue that candidates are divided on is the proposed city center. The proposal includes a park area for city festivals like the annual pumpkin walk and "mom-and-pop" stores.

Council candidate Steve Soulier doesn't like the location, or the designers. "Frankly I think it's being designed almost entirely for the folks at the Innovation campus," he said. He would like to see something that reflects more of rural North Logan.

Troy Oldham, council candidate, doesn't like the location but thinks a gathering place is a good idea. "This is a great community, but there are very few areas where we come together," he said.

Marlowe and mayoral candidate Allen Kartchner would also like to see further redesigns to the plan.

On the other side, the two candidates that have helped plan the development are fervent supporters. As chair of the planning commission, mayoral candidate Cary Watkins has been involved from the start. "I would like to call it North Logan Village," he said. The development would be a public-private partnership.

Nelson fervently agrees. "We absolutely need to look look at doing this because our city is going to continue to grow."

City Cemetery

Growth for all but one includes a city cemetery in the near future.

Richard Marlowe is running as the sole opposition, saying that the city cheated its residents by not having a vote on whether or not they wanted a cemetery. He said that he didn't expect to make it past the primaries, and he doesn't expect to win, but he wants to let everyone know why he's running. Often when asked a question about another issue in the city, he will tie it back to the cemetery.

As a united body, the rest of the candidates feel that the cemetery would bring a sense of community to the city. Also, the land has already been purchased. The sale was made nine years ago, with the intent of creating a cemetery and a park. Controversy surrounding the issue has prevented the development.

Water Subsidies

As development on the hill increases, those on the city's east bench are asking for water subsidies. Most pay $300 a month and many pay more in the summer months for water. They say it isn't fair that they have to use culinary water, when other residents in the city can use canal water for a much lower price.

All of the candidates, including Troy Oldham, who lives in the east bench area, are against giving subsidies Mayorial candidate Allen Kartchner said that residents chose their homes knowing the situation. "I think you find yourself in a very bad situation when you subsidize one part of the city and the rest of the city pays for it," he said.

Development of 1200 East

Another issue that the new council members and mayor will walk into will be the Interlocal agreement the City Council signed Oct. 9. The agreement joined the city with three other municipalities to start research on a road connecting Smithfield to Logan. The two mayoral candidates are both opposed to this decision.

"I'm not for the proposal that was presented by Cache County three weeks ago," Kartchner said. The road would be 40 mph with minimal stop signs and require North Logan to add curbing and sidewalk.

Watkins would like to see the city, which already has a road on 1200 East, work with Hyde Park and develop a 3100 North. He's worried about speeding on the new road by Sky View High School students. "It's really tough to drive slow on a wide road," he said.

Residents must vote in their precinct by 8 p.m. Tuesday. To find more information about the precincts, go to North Logan's website at http://www.ci.north-logan.ut.us/ and click on "Information."

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