LINDON -- When Shawna Powell buys a cow for a small pasture at her new house in Lindon, it will roam the pasture with a movie complex and parking lot just beyond the fence.
Powell and her husband Richard are building a ranchette on 200 South, now a rural neighborhood on the city's west side.Neither knew when they started construction that shortly after they complete their home a 16-screen movie complex would be built a few feet southwest of their property.
"I want a little farm for my six kids," she said, voicing concern over how close the parking will come to her property line.
Thankfully for the family, Johansen-Thackery Development is planning a grassy buffer between a new Edwards Theater and the row of homes that will back up to it.
But plans to build the buffer failed to appease residents who were clearly opposed to the theater chain's proposal during a public hearing Tuesday. The 4,000-seat theater will be 92,000 square feet on one level and will have the capacity to seat more than two-thirds of Lindon's residents.
The City Council moved toward making the theater a reality when it approved the developer's request to change the zoning ordinances to allow businesses to operate in the area.
The affected area stretches from about 200 South to 600 South and from 400 West to 800 West.
Council members will review and act on the theater proposal later. Developers brought in their entire planning team to sell the concept after residents strongly opposed it at a hearing more than a month ago.
Johansen-Thackery is working with EsNet Management Group to build the theater and adjacent businesses, said principal developer John Thackery.
The posh theater will be richly finished in copper, stainless steel and slate, said Mario Savopoulos, who designs many theaters for the chain.
The development company said it is responsible for rebuilding the northbound I-15 off ramp that leads to the site with the idea of changing the land to commercial use.
If it gains approval, developers may start construction in the spring. A planned opening is spring 2001.
Residents worried aloud about traffic and safety concerns and whether Utah Valley needs another theater. One resident said the valley has more than 60 theaters.
"As beautiful as it is you will be changing and setting a standard for our community," said resident Scott Stewart, noting the theater also will show R-rated movies.
"This may not be a big deal to some people, but I'm disappointed in the filth that is out there," he said. "When people ask, 'Why did (the City Council) do this?' Be ready to answer them."
Officials say the complex would add to the small city's tax base. The council agreed that the complex would change Lindon, but it also wanted the development and wanted to work with the developers to make it happen.