Karen Jensen, a property owner near the Juab County Fairgrounds, has asked Juab County commissioners how they plan to get her land for future growth.
She said the proposed master plan for the fairgrounds seems to indicate that land belonging to her and her husband, Cliff, is part of the proposed growth area needed for expansion."It looks like it involves some of our property. How do you propose to acquire it?" she asked.
"My understanding was that we had made your husband an offer," said Commissioner Gordon Young. He said the Jensens had wanted to trade on a three-to-one plan, in favor of the Jensens. "A three-to-one trade is not real acceptable," said Young. He said he understood the property offered in exchange was comparable to the property near the fairgrounds.
Jensen asked if the commission was aware of the improvements the Jensens had made to the property. They had leveled the land and had built concrete ditches, she said.
While the county would have the power to purchase the property, they did not want to be unfair, officials told Jensen. County Attorney Don Eyre Jr. said the county would use appraised values for property purchases.
Officials said they are reluctant to force the Jensens to sell. While acquiring the property is the only possible way the county fairgrounds could expand, the county prefers to work an agreement out with Jensens.
"The master plan is just in the planning stage," said Commissioner Ike Lunt.
Lunt said the plan would be offered to the county and Nephi City Planning and Zoning Commissions and then would be offered to the public for comment during the public hearing period.