By Dave Mehr

November 2006 | PROVIDENCE -- Many concerned citizens voiced their opinions and emotions ran high for nearly three hours Wednesday, as the City Planning Commission discussed items such as city codes and rezoning.

Scott Wyatt, a Providence city attorney, was present to discuss lawsuits filed against the city for rezoning the properties located on 691 Grandview Drive and 870 S. 400 East, called The Cove and Hillcrest subdivisions.

"Sometimes the best decision is to strike a solution and move on," Wyatt said.

Wyatt feels it's a good idea to start over with rezoning and doing things in the correct manner.

"Hopefully if the planning commission and city council put out the notices, it could resolve the issue," he said.

Commissioner Jim Beazer moved to revisit the issue of rezoning and hold a public hearing on Nov. 29. Because of so much public interest, the meeting will possibly be held at a local school.

Rand Henderson from Henderson Law Offices in Logan was also present to discuss the issue of rezoning, as well as changes to the Providence city code regarding the land use ordinance.

"We stand ready to work with the city," Henderson said. "We're a nation of laws, not of men," he said.

Chairman of the commission Blaine Sorenson requested that Wyatt and Henderson work together on the rezoning, land use, and appeals issues.

"We can come up with things we both agree to propose," Wyatt said.

"If we do it right, I think everybody will be happy," Henderson said.

Commissioner Bill Bagley was disappointed that a recommendation to establish an appeals authority written by him has not yet been addressed by the City Council.

"It should have been done," Mayor Randy Simmons said.

Wilf Sommerkorn, from Davis County Community & Economic Development Department, was present to discuss the establishment of a land use authority and appeals authority. Sommerkorn explained the land use authority is the approval authority for subdivision plats. "There's a lot of options you can do the way the code is set up," Sommerkorn said.

One concerned citizen, Sharell Eames, said "I also object to one person as the appeals authority."

Mark Teuscher, a consultant to the city planning commission, spoke with the commission about policy changes to the city code. Several principles such as transportation, pedestrian safety, density, major utilities, and areas sensitive to flooding and earthquakes were discussed with Teuscher.

"Every city runs into the same issues," Teuscher said. "Ordinances need to be specific," he said.

Commissioner Harry Ames expressed his concern with pedestrians and the traffic around the city.

"I refuse to ride a bicycle anywhere near the city. It's extremely dangerous. I'd rather play Russian roulette," Ames said.

Teuscher was hired to help the city by planning and assisting with ordinances in the city code.

"Can you solve every health, safety, and welfare issue? No; but do your best to mitigate them," Teuscher said.

NW
MS