BOUNTIFUL — The City Council Tuesday agreed with the Planning Commission's recommendation to deny a developer's request to turn the former Anderson Lumber property into a mixture of town houses and apartments.
By a unanimous vote, the council refused to change the zoning of the property at 620 S. 200 West from commercial to residential. Developer Richard Shipley had proposed putting 148 residential units on the land.
The council heard from a dozen nearby residents who urged them not to rezone the property out of concerns over traffic, increased crime and possible lower property values for homes adjoining the area.
In other business, the council approved funding to modify the electrical wiring in two existing pump houses for fluoridation equipment as the city moves ahead with plans to fluoridate its water.
City Manager Tom Hardy told the council two groups of city residents already have fluoridated water — those in the northeast and those in the south whose water comes from the South Davis County Water Improvement District. "If you get a bill from South Davis, you've been getting fluoridated water since summer," Hardy said.
The council also approved a resolution from a citizens' group calling for Bountiful to be a "family friendly" city after city staffers reshaped the resolution. As worded, the resolution calls for the city to promote a community standard that reflects and encourages a wholesome environment for children and families.
It also encourages businesses, schools and public institutions in the area to adopt child-appropriate standards.
JoAnn Hamilton, director of Citizens for Families said it's OK the resolution has no teeth — she just wanted the city to show its support for a family friendly environment. "I am delighted that the City Council chose to pass this resolution. Although I know a resolution is only a statement of policy, it is wonderful to have the support of the Bountiful City Council and the mayor.
"We hope to establish a community standard where everything inappropriate for children is out of their sight and in so doing establish a model city as far as this issue is concerned. I anticipate other cities will follow the example of Bountiful," Hamilton said.
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