The representative for Smith’s, who on October 5 laid out the store’s terms for moving forward, said the city would need to enter an agreement by this Friday.
The store would accompany 550 new homes and a commercial area in the New London development just north of downtown Heber City. It would require a new road east of Main Street between the existing Smith’s grocery store and Back 40 Grill and be called 900 North.
The consultant, Randy Sant, told the council Smith’s wants the city to pay for about 60% of the infrastructure for the project, which is about $7 million. The cost would include a new road and traffic light. He also said the council needed to have an answer ready by this Friday.
Tomorrow evening, the council will consider whether to enter into a memorandum of understanding for a city public infrastructure district financing option. An MOU is a formal but non-binding agreement. Under the public infrastructure district, the city would take out a bond and pay it back over 20 years. The developer’s proposal projects the city could cover the repayment with new tax revenues generated in the area by an economic development project there.
In the October 5 discussion, council members were concerned about the short timetable Smith’s demanded. Council members Wayne Hardman and Mike Johnston still supported moving forward, and Ryan Stack said he did, too, if a city review would show the city will come out ahead.
Also on the council agenda, there’ll be a public hearing over proposed budget amendments.
The most expensive change would be to allocate $135,000 from the general fund to the planning department. City Accountant Wes Bingham says it’ll fund outside help for busy the planning department.
Another proposal is to use money from several city funding sources to hire a lobbyist. City Manager Matt Brower says to hire a lobbyist for $100,000 could help the city get a seven-figure amount in stimulus money from the state for a multi-million-dollar sewer line renovation.
In a work meeting before its regular meeting, the council will discuss a rule to better engage well or spring owners about nearby development projects. Also in the work meeting, City Planner Tony Kohler will present details on the proposed Highlands development behind the Utah Valley University Wasatch Campus.
Also on the agenda for the regular meeting is whether to approve the Sawmill development east of the Heber Valley Hospital. It’s proposed to include nearly 100 residential units in townhomes, twin homes and individual lots. Recently, an elementary school site was added to the proposal. The school would be at 1200 South Sawmill Boulevard.
The work meeting begins tomorrow at 5 p.m. and the regular council meeting at 7. Both will be held at Heber City Hall, 75 North Main Street. To attend by video conference, visit heberut.gov.
