BY BOB MICKELSON

Clipper Staff Writer



FARMINGTON -- In a effort to make sure all levels of city government are on the same page with regard to the development review process, a number of changes have been proposed by Farmington City staff members and were reviewed by the city council on Jan. 19.

It's hoped the changes will clarify the review process so there will be less chance of confusion among developers trying to move a project forward.

The new process, as suggested by City Planner David Petersen, would include the following stages:

1. City Planner -- Schematic Plan review; 2. Planning Commission -- Schematic Plan review (public hearing); 3. City Council -- Schematic Plan review (public hearing); 4. Planning Commission -- Preliminary Plat review and consideration (public hearing at the discretion of the Commission); 5. Planning Commission -- Final Plat review and consideration; 6. City Council -- Final Plat review and consideration.

After some tweaking of the process was suggested by Mayor Greg Bell and members of the council, it was agreed to modify the procedure and bring it back for further consideration at a future council meeting.

Also of interest to Mayor Bell is the interested shown by MTC Development in a parcel of property along Burke Lane. The site is located, approximately, across the street from the former youth court building, now occupied by the Utah Highway Patrol and Drivers License Bureau.

The company is looking for ground to build one, and possibly two, 50-60,000 square foot Class A office buildings.

The problem, reported Bell, is that MTC is being heavily courted by other Davis County area communities. Meanwhile, Farmington hasn't yet had a chance to do any master planning along Burke Lane.

"The question is whether this is important enough to push ahead without a master plan," Bell said.

All members of the council agreed that area could have significant impact on Farmington's tax base when it develops.

But, there are still some differences as to what type of development will work and then, of course, area property owners have their own concerns.

Eventually approved was a proposal by Bell to have council members David Dixon and Larry Haugen look into the possibilities and, hopefully, set up another meeting with MTC.

Changes in the organization of the Leisure Services Committee were approved.

At the suggestion of the city manager, it was decided to add responsibility for the Easter Egg Hunt and Youth City Council to Tammy Boyce's job description. Also authorized was an adjustment to Boyce's salary to cover the additional work.