Nibley
approves development, once wetlands concerns are addressed
By Kelsey Koenen
October 1, 2007 | NIBLEY -- At a recent City Council
meeting, the council first denied but finally approved
work to begin on the Zollinger subdivision at 3350 S.
1500 West, on condition the council is assured that
wetlands will not be harmed.
Argument ricocheted off the walls regarding the new
land development. For over an hour, council members
debated the need for a wetlands specialist to inspect
the area for the subdivision to ensure no wetlands were
being destroyed before pipeline and irrigation construction
was allowed to begin.
"Wetlands are sensitive lands, they need to be addressed,"
Mayor Gerald Knight said.
Paul Leishman, president of Nibley Blacksmith Fork
Irrigation Co., brought a checklist to the meeting to
review and gain approval from the city council to begin
construction for the irrigation pipeline. The land is
over 14,000 square feet.
The motion to approve phase one construction, although
heavily debated, was rejected on a 4-1 vote. Councilman
Bryan Hansen wanted approval without the wetlands inspection.
Thayne Mickelson chose to amend the motion on condition
that the council receives a signed letter from the wetlands
association saying there was no wetland concern here.
"As a city there's only so much we can do, but as
a farmer and a past farmer I want to make sure the irrigation
is there," Councilman Scott Larsen said. "Too often
times things fall through the cracks." Larsen addressed
the council changing in the next few months and wanted
to assure that this new subdivision was dealt with correctly
before the project began.
Mayor Knight encouraged that the meeting move on and
all voted in favor for the construction to begin with
the wetlands approval letter except for Larsen. Later,
City Manager Larry Anhder said the work might not begin
until as late as next fall.
In other business, a proposal for a new slogan with
the new Nibley city decals was made. The League of Cities
public relations campaign initiated the "Making Life
Better" slogan and soon could be adopted after the approval
of the city council.
NW
MS
|
