Cache Council approves 36-lot development near Beaver Dam
July 30th, 2011 Posted in OpinionBy Megan Hoth
LOGAN—The Cache Cache County Council has unanimously approved a rezone of a parcel of land near Beaver Dam.
The land at 14014 N. 8000 West was originally zoned for an agricultural (A-10) zone but was put up for a rural (RU-2) rezoning request by developer Justin Taylor. The development includes 70 acres of land, creating 36 building lots.
Cache County Development Director Josh Runhaar advised the Council against the rezoning, reminding the members that they had previously said they wanted new developments closer to urban centers.
Runhaar said there has been drastic growth in unincorporated areas of Cache County, which constitute only 5 percent of the county’s population but 11 percent of new subdivision growth. Runhaar said that the unincorporated area’s growth is comparable to the growth of Nibley, Smithfield and North Logan.
Councilwoman Kathy Robison said that although the land is far away, it is not prime, viable farmland. “This is the best prepared subdivision I have ever seen,” said Robison.
Council Chairman Jon White said that half of the development falls in Box Elder County, which has already approved the 27 of the total 36 lots on that side of the line.
Councilman Val Potter suggested that developers building in remote parts of the county pay higher impact fees, but Runhaar said there is “no good way to charge an impact fee.”
Because the county doesn’t offer municipal services, there are few services for which to charge impact fees, Runhaar said. Over time, the impact fees wouldn’t add up and the county could run the risk of having to refund fees due to lack of use.
Councilman Craig Petersen said that if he could picture an area to fit perfectly into the RU-2 zone it would be this one.
The rezoning was approved pending the writing of a new resolution and ordinance for the development area.
TP
Tags: Beaver Dam, Cache County Council, rezone
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