SARATOGA SPRINGS — Timothy Parker says there are more people living in Saratoga Springs — or headed that direction — than most Utahns realize.
And there's more sheer land mass involved, too.
The young town covers 21 square miles and has more length than the distance from Alpine to Lindon.
Parker, the mayor of the city that started in 1997 with 250 people, recites growth statistics of the Utah County city that may be best known for its natural hot springs and history as a resort on the shores of Utah Lake.
In four years, he says, about 1,600 people have moved into the city that lines the west side of the lake. Approval has been given to build an additional 5,000 residential units.
"We're experiencing very rapid growth," said Parker, sitting at a table in the renovated home that serves as City Hall. "This is a vacuum for development."
There are, therefore, daunting practical challenges in simply handling the growth. But the real challenge lies in making sure the community is well-planned and that the aesthetic draw continues to exist, Parker said.
That kind of far-reaching planning can be tough to do with limited funds and an office staff of only a handful of people.
"I came down here and looked out across the lake and knew I had to live here," Parker said. "This is one of the last opportunities to get a sense of Utah. The opportunity and challenge for us is to preserve
some of the things that first drew us out."
Parker, along with city manager Ken Leetham, does not believe that insisting developers build only large homes on large lots is the best way to do that.
"We encourage mixed densities and planned development," he said. "We don't look at anything unless we can see the whole plan. That's how we preserve the open space and get the trails."
From every developer, Saratoga Springs officials require a sizable buffer strip along the front of homes and easements for trails.
In the geographic center of the city is farmland owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has been granted long-term agricultural protection and provides residents a large tract of open land.
"Plus, we have established zoning that encourages equestrian-type density," Parker said.
Parker and Leetham say Saratoga Springs offers a blend of rural and urban living with a 40-minute commute to Salt Lake City or Provo.
"We're seeing some significant migration from Salt Lake County. One buyer told us he had 80 percent of his customers coming from Salt Lake," Leetham said. "That's different from other areas of growth in Utah County where it's the children and grandchildren buying the homes."
Neither thinks Utah Lake is a liability — but rather exists as one of the community's biggest assets.
"If you smell a foul odor, it's coming from the Great Salt Lake and not from Utah Lake," Parker said. "This lake is healthy and the shoreline houses are in no danger."
However, given high water years like 1983, spots for homes along the shoreline must be away from the water and on a rise of land that will put the homes above any flooding.
Mosquitoes in the historically swampy area haven't proved to be a big problem, either, he said. But some developers are taking great pains to be sure they're not allowed to thrive.
"You have some of the things that go with a rural lifestyle, but on the other hand, you have this incredible view and elbow room," Parker said.
Reid Wayman, a resident of 18 years, said he moved to the area for the view and the clean air. And he's staying for the same reasons.
"People enjoy that atmosphere," he said. "I've always maintained there's no better place to build a new city than here."
"And we have the lowest certified tax rate in the county with no public indebtedness," said the mayor.
The town of Saratoga Springs operates on an annual budget of $930,000, drawn partly from property taxes and a little from shared sales tax.
Most of the utility lines and roads were paid for by development. Impact fees pay for park land.
Commercial development at the corner of U-73 and Redwood Road, plus some land in the Town Center set aside for businesses, should substantially boost the budget in the next few years, Leetham said.
That will greatly open up the city's possibilities.
Meanwhile, the city has built up a fire department with five vehicles and conducts city business from an old home which will soon be "upgraded" to a modular unit.
"We've started out being very frugal because it's good to establish the precedent," Parker said.
He's well aware that as the community grows there will soon be a demand for things like a library, developed parks, street lighting and myriad services and facilities.
The town has already faced down some legal challenges over water service and access to the state's boat harbor.
A 4th District Court lawsuit brought against Saratoga Springs by one of the major developers was dismissed when the city agreed to compromise on ownership of the equipment and lines.
The boat harbor also was closed for a time after state officials became impatient with a developer who had promised to build a new one in exchange for claiming the old one. Now, Parker says a better, expanded harbor is being planned for the Pelican Point area.
"We have our challenges. And we'll continue to have challenges. Our first challenge is practical and the other challenge is social," Parker said, pointing out the clustering in the town center and in the Loch Lomond development by the lake and expected in the Harvest Hills area north of the four corners intersection.
"How do we provide a sense of community to a town as long as ours with three different centers?"
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com