By Erin Wadsworth

September 25, 2006 | NORTH LOGAN -- While still in its young years as a city, North Logan is bringing life and whole new meaning of community to Cache Valley.

During a Planning Commission meeting Sept. 14, final discussions were heard on the last draft of their Land Use Element plan, which has been at least three years in the making. Previous commissions and councils have read and re-read what will soon become the new guideline for city planning.

A city incorporated in 1934, North Logan will be looking to the City Council to approve this new document. Mainly focusing on three important elements, land use, transportation and affordable housing, residents can expect to discuss its main points some time in the near future.

Many changes have been made to make this plan more user friendly than previous plans, said Cordell Batt, the city's planning director. The major difference is in the format of the actual plan, making it easier to review and comprehend.

Developments of new areas, such as subdivisions, bring need for roads, water usage, recreation areas and much more. This document will let residents know what action must be taken before they can go forward with a chosen project.

Neighborhood focused planning is prominent in a discussion about community growth in North Logan. Finding ways to include the community is significant when finalizing plans that have direct effect on citizens. Public hearings have been recommended by the planning commission in regard to the Land Use Element.

Keith Christensen, planning commission chairman, will present the document draft to the city council on Oct. 5. Several public hearings will follow. Whenever land use is on the agenda public hearings must be scheduled in order to understand how the people in the community feel about such decisions, said Batt.

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