By Di Lewis

February 9, 2006 | SMITHFIELD -- Low-income housing may be coming to Smithfield, after the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of rezoning some agricultural land to residential Wednesday.

Councilwoman Kris Monson, the dissenting vote, said, "We have some families that will lose their livelihood because of the gateway effect of urbanization that this will bring. These people have been here for 150 years and will be put out of business because of this."

Monson has consistently opposed the resolution to rezone and proposed the amendment that was passed with this resolution two weeks ago. City Manager Jim Gass said that decision had to be annulled due to improper procedure when passing the resolution and confusion among Council members about precisely what the amendment would do.

The Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing Corporation said they want to use the land in cooperation with Mickelson development for low-income housing developments.

Monson said passing the resolution puts the consideration of Smithfield residents below nonresidents.

"I don't know where our thinking processes are if we don't consider the residents that elected us," Monson said. "What did Planning and Zoning recommend? No. And what is this going to do to the people of Smithfield?"

In rebuttal to Monson's comments, Councilman Dee Wood said, "This is an area that has been zoned for future growth in the city general plan, the city services are already in place in that area, and the work the NNHC plans to do will be a huge benefit to Smithfield."

The area to be rezoned extends from 800 West to 500 West and from Saddleback Road to 100 North. At the last council meeting the resolution passed unanimously but was amended to cut out some of the proposed land.

The council had already voted earlier in the evening 3-2 in favor of rezoning the land that would have remained agricultural under the previous vote on the resolution.

In other council business Rocky Taylor, the animal control officer for North Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield, was recognized for his achievement in receiving the Outstanding Animal Control Officer of the Year for Utah. North Park Police Chief Kim Hawks, who presented the award, said Taylor deserves the award for his "outstanding service and dedication.

"As I was filling out the application, it was easy to complete because of how much Rocky does," Hawks said. "He goes above and beyond the call of duty every day."

Mayor Chad Downs said he has been impressed by the kindness and dedication Taylor puts into his work.

Additionally, Jessie Datwyler's request for funds to match the $1,400 grant she received for the Smithfield Children's Theater was approved. Datwyler said she wanted to provide the opportunity for Smithfield youth to participate without having to pay a fee.

The council also unanimously approved resolutions to create a two-lot minor subdivision at 107 E. 200 North, annex the Stafford property at 50 N. 1000 East and oppose Utah Senate Bill 170, which Gass said, will "take away the city's ability to control zoning and allow developers to do almost anything they want to do."

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