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Wellsville residents at annexation hearing prefer agriculture to houses By
Melissa Dymock WELLSVILLE -- People here say they are afraid if a proposed annexation goes through, the land will be developed and the town will lose open space and farm land. Residents expressed their concerns on the proposed annexation of 1,360 acres from Cache County to Wellsville in a public hearing Sept. 19. The land is between 6800 South and 7800 South, and 4000 West to 5600 West. The land is used for agriculture. "I am opposed to any high-density housing in this area," said resident Earl Glenn. "We need to make this place suitable for our kids and grandkids." "Agriculture really is the soul of this valley," said Cindy Hall, chairman of the Cache Committee for Agriculture Protection. Hall is afraid the annexation will lead to further annexation and development. Wellsville officials were quick to reassure citizens that heavy development is not part of the master plan for the city. Jay Nielson, Wellsville's planning consultant, said that county-approved development is taking over the smaller towns. Wellsville, he said, has a "sensitive land" ordinance that sets aside certain lands. The county does not. "Sensitive lands" include many things from highly productive agriculture land to natural drainage ways, both seasonal and year round, Nielson said. Councilman Lynn Cooper said recently a developer, building at the base of Sardine Canyon, had his original plan turned down by the council. He wanted to build 242 houses but because of the sensitive land initiative he was allotted only 28. Had this been county land that wouldn't have happened Cooper said. Another important reason for the annexation is having control over that particular land, said Councilman J. Thomas Smith. He said the city has not been pleased in working with the county on other projects. Cooper said, "They've as much as told us where to go when we've tried to work with them on other land the county has." Councilman Bradley White said the county would put up houses on every four acres and all over, destroying the farmland. "My number one agenda is to get that land out of the county's control." He said the city wants the development to be clustered and hidden so that the farmland will still be preserved. "By us considering annexation we're not talking about subdivisions," White said. "That land is going to get developed. Many can*t make a living by farming anymore." Nielson said while there is no definite plan for any development, at least 50 percent of the land will be preserved as open space. Hall, hearing the city's proposal, said she was encouraged by what she heard. She said if the council follows through on their promises than the land is better off with them. The City Council said it would take a few more weeks to develop a plan for the land before voting on annexation.
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