By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A petition was handed to Mona Town Council requesting
that a formal annexation, growth, and zoning plan be adopted
before any annexation or subdivision is approved by the
council.
As a result, the public hearing to hear a current
proposal to annex property will be held in Mona at the Mona
Elementary School at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 29.
"We anticipate a large number of people attending the
meeting," said Doran Kay (D. Kay), council member.
For that reason, Kay thought the meeting, to take comment
on the proposed annexation of property owned by Pat Painter,
should be moved to the school so more people could
attend.
However, the decision to hold the meeting at the school
represented a compromise between two groups at council
meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Bryce Lynn was holding out for the
meeting to be held at city hall, as usual.
"I am speaking for the vast majority of the town," said
Quinton Kay (Q. Kay), in presenting the petition. "A
petition has been circulated, with 235 town residents and 17
county residents signing which indicates the concern of the
general citizenry about unplanned growth."
Lynn said the annexation plan requested should be taken
care of when the town receives its new master plan updates.
Annexation, he said, was not the problem. The planning
commission, who is also over zoning, would address the
issues in their planning.
"There is purpose in annexation even if nothing is done
with the property for many years," said Lynn.
"One advantage of allowing annexation," said Clive
Buchanan, "is that property tax money then comes to the town
to help with the budget."
In fact, said Lynn, some cities force annexation.
"Here are some points of concern some people expressed
while we were having the petition signed," said Q. Kay.
First, he said, was that the town would lose its leverage
on how the streets should be laid out--preferably in a block
plan--and that the person doing the annexing follow a master
plan and have the annexation approved by the town council to
make certain the plans were followed.
"Such things as traffic, utilities, emergency service
access, street maintenance, and snow removal should be
considered before an annexation," said Q. Kay.
"We are developing a plan, even as we speak," said Rick
Schnurr, council member.
He said those signing the petition wanted a long and
short-term feasibility/impact study to be included in the
zoning/annexation plan. "We further as that the cost of
schools, education, roads, right-of-ways, water rights,
water usage, water availability, sewer disposal, waster
water disposal, police services, ambulance service, and fire
services be considered," he said.
"The plan should be formulated in such a manner that the
town and its citizens have minimum increased taxation,
utility billing, bonding, or other expenses."
Q. Kay said the petitioners were also interested in
preserving, as much as possible, the current quality of
life. "We do not want the traffic, pollution, and or other
problems encountered by many cities that have allowed
unplanned growth.
He said there was also concern about land use issues. The
town needed to obtain information about the way the land
would be used before the annexation would be approved.
"After annexation, the town loses its negotiation
abilities."
"We need to have water rights dedicated to the town for
the parcel to be annexed before annexation is approved. In
fact, water rights need to be a condition of annexation."
said Q. Kay.
All annexations need to be brought into the town as a
package, he said.
The utilities infrastructure needs to be in place for the
extra impact that annexation would bring. The town should
not have to go into debt to provide the infrastructure.
"Financial issues are a concern," said Q. Kay. "Can we
afford to annex?" he asked. "The town needs to have a
financial plan to take care of the extra costs that
annexation may incur upon the town to the citizens.
"Are we prepared financially for growth? Shouldn't we
retire existing bonds and debts before taking on new debt as
a result of annexation?"
Q. Kay said the town needs to have an agreement made
where these, and other considerations, could be addressed,
settled and signed as a condition of annexation.
"It is evident what the majority of the people want,"
said D. Kay. "The petition is saying that the signers don't
think we (the council) are qualified." He said the petition
was evidence that an annexation policy was wanted.
Q. Kay said that at a recent quality growth meeting held
in commission chambers in Nephi, Nephi City was complimented
on growing from within. "Interior growth is encouraged."
"We have 728 acres inside the town limits," said Rick Kay
(R. Kay). Much of that land could be developed before
annexing other property.
Michael Keyte said he had some concerns about allowing
annexation without an annexation plan. "If you could prove
to me that annexation would not cost me anything, I would
not oppose it."
However, he said, he did not think that was possible. The
money for improvements of infrastructure had to come from
someone. Growth inside the community should be encouraged
first.
"We ask the town council to carefully consider the issues
of growth and annexation so we don't have precedents set
that could adversely affect us today and for generations to
come," said Q. Kay.
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