MAPLETON -- The city's proposed master street plan would put streets through at least six houses and dangerously close to several others.
So the City Council tabled the plan last week and will hold a work session to hammer out residents' concerns, while emphasizing that it is "just a plan." Implementation could be 15 years away, city zoning officer Bill Jones said. A work session on the plan is scheduled for May 23.The plan puts wide streets through in several areas of town where they now dead-end, to make the city's grid system more complete. Developer Lou Bankhead said the most pleasing street designs had meandering curves and cul-de-sacs.
Mapleton is a large-lot community built on an historic grid street system, with few lots smaller than half an acre and many an acre or more.
One of the most controversial elements of the plan is to put 800 South through from 800 East to the west edge of town. Eventually it could lead to I-15 through Spanish Fork. But the road would run behind several houses, and at least one lot would have streets on three sides, residents complained.
Ironically, had the master plan been approved like that it would have been a violation of Mapleton's code not to allow double frontage lots. However, the council repealed that ordinance later in the meeting, making double frontage lots permissible.
But the council appeared to be leaning against putting the 800 South street extension in the plan. Mayor Richard Young said the cost of condemnation and litigation isn't worth it.
Rella Christensen said creating the double frontage lots would destroy the harmony of the neighborhood. Grace Huffaker said extending 800 South would place a street along the back of her property and take out century-old trees. It would also take much of the back yard of at least one neighbor. Instead, motorists can use 900 South, which runs in front of her property, she said.
A planning consultant the city hired recommended against putting 800 South through, Brent Benson said.
"The grid mentality is outdated, but it's still showing up," he said.
The city has no plans to condemn any property, Young said. "A master plan alerts those who are building and reduces the need for condemnation," he said.
The plan projects roads for the future, but they won't be built immediately, Councilwoman Linda Olsen said. "Houses come and go, but roads will be there," she said.
The proposed plan eliminates hundreds of planned roads, Councilman Stuart Newton said. While some residents complained about the wide streets, saying they encouraged speeders, "some people like them," Newton said.
"I wonder what people thought about Brigham Young and his super-wide streets," Councilman Richard Hjorth said of the early Utah leader. "If we kept the old plan we would look like Orem."
But Councilwoman Charlee Hanna lashed out at the plan. "We're overbuilding roads for the next 20 years," she said. The plan has too many roads and some are "ill-placed," she said. "If we want a rural community, it's set off by the roads and the sides of the road. That's what determines its ruralness. Some (planned) roads don't take you anywhere and some are too wide."
The plan also lacked a trail system, she said.