Development in Springville is becoming a watery issue, and there may not be enough water available to keep some developments afloat.
The City Council recently tabled action on approving two subdivision plans because the developers did not have adequate water shares for the property. City ordinance requires developers to turn over to the city one share of water for each acre developed. The ordinance allows the city to accept money instead of water shares.City officials, however, say they want water shares and are not interested in the money. The city takes the water shares and transfers them to its wells, which allows the city to draw more water from the wells.
"If we don't have the water shares, then we can't get the additional water needed to supply the new homes," Mayor Delora Bertlesen said.
Most parcels of land in the city have water shares attached to their title. However, developers say that is not the case with all property. In fact, developers of Hometown Hills, a proposed development of about 57 homes in the area of 1300 North and 200 East, say their property has no water shares and they have been unable to buy any. The Springville Irrigation Company has no shares for sale, and most share owners are unwilling to sell.
Dean Payne, who owns the land where Hometown Hills may be located, said the city does not need the water and is holding his land hostage. If it's obvious that no water is available, the city should be willing to accept money instead.
"I think this requirement is ridiculous," Payne said.
Bertlesen became upset when Payne attacked the ordinance. She said if the city does not require the water shares, future residents of Hometown Hills will come to the city and complain about the lack of water. She said the city is not about to rob water from current residents to satisfy new residents.
"You're not being asked to do anything that we have not asked of other developers," she said.
Steve Heinz, developer of Hometown Hills, said he does not understand how the city can require one water share per acre when there are more acres available to develop than there are available water shares.
"Are we at the point in Springville that if we don't have the water rights then the land is undevelopable?" Heinz asked.
City officials said the current water supply is not adequate to handle new growth and they are not going to allow new subdivisions unless water is available.
"Someday it may come to that point and we may have to say no more development," City Engineer Harold Mitchell said.
Council members suggested areas where Heinz may find water for sale and said they would address the issue again at Tuesday's work session when they discuss other requests from Heinz. The city is requiring Heinz to install 6,500-foot water and sewer lines along Main Street to the proposed development. In exchange for the costs of the lines, Heinz wants the city to waive part of the connection and impact fees. The city also is requiring the developers to install a 90-foot-wide road that will connect to U-75 at 1400 N. Main. Heinz is asking the city to help pay for the road.
"The frustrating thing is that we are providing so much to that area," he said.
After witnessing the council's stance on the Hometown Hills situation, another developer waiting to address the same issue told the council he would come back when he has some water rights to offer.