Hyrum
landowner must install sidewalk if she wants to sell
By Seth
Bracken
September 12, 2008 | HYRUM -- Bonnie Nielsen will be
required to pay for a sidewalk for her own property
and for a neighboring plot that she is trying to sell,
said Scot Allgood, Hyrum Planning and Zoning commissioner
Thursday night. The commission voted unanimously to
require the sidewalk, and for two trees to be planted.
Nielsen said she already paid $120 with a $500 deposit
to the city in her efforts to sell the half-acre plot.
Nielsen is the former chairwoman of the Board of Trustees
at Utah State University and current head of the Cache
County Board of Adjustment. She said the process of
selling a portion of a plot is very complicated and
usually involves repeated visits to the zoning and planning
commission, and to the city council.
"It is such a mess," said Nielsen.
Nielsen's property, both the property she says she
will sell and where she currently lives, have no sidewalks.
The proposed sidewalk would be 166 feet long. Nielsen
said if a small portion of sidewalk is built in this
block it would not be aesthetically pleasing and if
later on the remaining portion of sidewalk is placed,
the old would most likely have to be broken up to match
the new. If she were not going to sell part of her land
she would not be required to put a sidewalk on her property,
said Nielsen.
The decision to require the placement of sidewalk
was made after much discussion.
"The problem is you've got the letter of the law and
the intent, and I don't think we can come up with an
answer," said Allgood.
The commission also said the Hyrum City Council would
be able to override the order to build or provide a
deposit for a portion of sidewalk
In other business the commission:
- voted to send a letter to the city council to review
a residential landscaping ordinance.
- voted to allow adjustments to fence sizes that are
located on corners due to varying land degrees while
maintaining a 4-foot height limit.
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