A local developer thinks it would be a good idea to buy some land and annex it into West Valley City. The West Jordan City Council thinks not.
The land, located between 5600 and 6400 West and 6200 and 7000 South, is now part of unincorporated Salt Lake County. It is a half-mile from the West Jordan and West Valley borders, West Jordan City Planner Garth Smith said.Smith said the developer, Beneficial Development Co., and its owner Deseret Holding Co., have set their sights on "a planned community type development" of single- and multiple-unit residences with some commercial zones, too. More than 700 acres of land are at stake.
"In that particular area our boundary is at 7000 South and some of 6200 South," Smith said. "In all fairness, yes, I do see some conflicts."
The council Tuesday agreed with Smith. Acting on a motion made by Councilman Wayne Harper, they voted 7-0 to oppose the annexation attempt and support annexation into West Jordan.
"This (area) is West Jordan. It has long been recognized and the boundaries have long been established," Harper said. "Other county areas have also recognized it as part of West Jordan, including West Valley City. This isn't even an issue."
But West Valley City Manager John Patterson thinks it is. He mentioned an 8-year-old agreement on growing cities made with West Jordan and the county for the next 50 years.
"Is the agreement on growing cities no longer valid?" Patterson asked.
He said in addition to the fact that the Oquirrh Shadows subdivision stands in the way of West Jordan providing service to this area, Salt Lake City Airport 2 provides a natural barrier.
"Their city limits are now in West Valley's back yard," Patterson said. "I hope they will reconsider their position and any poten-tial liability if they choose to protest."
According to Patterson, Beneficial initially sought annexation into West Valley in 1988, on the same tract of land. But because of the new Hercules operation, the annexation was denied.
The time is ripe now, he added. The proposed development would take an estimated 10 to 15 years to complete and would add an additional 2,200 to 2,400 homes to West Valley City.