Not only is a general outline of what constitutes a research and technology park beginning to emerge in discussions between the Office of Community Development and the City Council - but also what a research park is not.
The Council and Community Development staff are preparing a philosophical statement that will be adopted in a city-zoning amendment creating a research and technology park designation. Locations in Provo for which that designation is appropriate then will be identified.City planner Richard Secrist said the statement will give residents a reasonable idea of what will be developed in a research and technology park.
A draft report by the Community Development office says a research park is "an organized or planned development oriented primarily toward research laboratories and similar technological activities, as well as related service activities." Companies that might locate in a research park, such as publishing, pharmaceutical, electronic and photographic companies, may engage in light manufacturing.
Development of businesses in research parks will be governed by detailed plans that include street layouts and utility construction. Also, developers will be required to establish lot size minimums, architectural standards and landscaping requirements which promote openness and a parklike character in a neighborhood setting.
What businesses won't be allowed in a research park? For one, any businesses that cause one or more of eight environmentally offensive activities listed in the draft report, such as discharges of emissions or fluids, excessive ground vibrations, and fire or explosion hazards. Also, businesses that engage in retail sales or heavy industrial or manufacturing activities will not be allowed.
Gary Golightly, director of economic development for Provo, said suburban research parks "have been the going thing for five or seven years," and that Provo is behind the times in creating such a designation.
Mayor Joe Jenkins has asked the community development staff to complete work on the designation by the end of May.