OREM -- The ballpark complex planned as part of the city's golf course and park project is back in Orem's court.
The 14-acre piece of land needed for the ballpark is located in Vineyard, but if all goes as planned, the property will shortly belong to Orem.A four-way land deal signed in November between Alpine School District, Vineyard, Orem and EsNet Management Corp. freed up property for a new school in Vineyard, settled some issues for EsNet as the developer and calmed irate neighbors who resisted plans for high-density housing in their area.
In addition to the land trading for the school and EsNet, Vineyard and Orem have agreed to adjust some boundaries that will essentially remove one of the major stumbling blocks to development of the 18-hole 200-acre golf course project in the southwest part of Orem.
Acreage in Vineyard destined to be a five-diamond baseball complex will be traded to Orem in exchange for approximately 14 acres Orem currently owns in Vineyard.
The officials of both cities agree that it just makes more sense to adjust the boundaries and swap the properties, said John Park, Orem assistant city manager.
The Orem City Council will hear about the trade proposal and vote on the resolution of intent Tuesday night.
After that, there is a 60-day period to allow input from anyone immediately adjacent to the properties involved. On Feb. 9, the adjustment could be finalized.
Park said although the notice and protest period is required by law, he doesn't really expect any problem with the adjustment plans.
"The only ones who can protest are those with property adjacent, and that's basically Orem and Vineyard," Park said.
Park said it's a relief to have the property for the ballpark freed up. He said he hopes the park can be planted and playable as early as the spring of 2000.
The golf course itself will still be delayed an entire year because Orem and Vineyard did not agree in September on the details concerning the ballpark complex and planting consequently could not occur before winter weather set in.
Also, city officials are awaiting final approvals from the Bureau of Reclamation on the mitigation of some wetlands area involved in the golf course construction.
Park said those negotiations are moving along and supplemental information required before final approval is awarded is being submitted to the bureau next week.
There are still a lot of issues to work out between Vineyard and Orem, Park said, but a number of those can be worked out with staff, such as sewer and water issues. Some very sticky issues, such as roads, will take more time and additional discussion.