Davis County legislators and other officials are concerned that a bill before the Utah Legislature could mean billboards will begin springing up along the Legacy Parkway.

In the process, it could ruin views along Legacy’s trails and jeopardize the road’s scenic byway designation.

The bill is also raising eyebrows among county leaders due to a perceived effort by some to push legislation that could prove very unpopular locally.

House Bill 272, sponsored by Rep. Christopher N. Herrod, R-Provo, would allow areas of scenic byways in Utah to be “segmented” or removed from the byway designation if a piece of property adjoining the road is zoned commercial, industrial or is unzoned. Those segments would then be open for billboards.

Officials on many levels in Davis County are concerned by the legislation because they believe organizations such as Reagan Outdoor Advertising already wield more influence at the Legislature than they are comfortable with.

Sen. Greg Bell told the Clipper, “I think Reagan has a lot of influence up here, and I don’t like it.”

Mayor James Behunin said every candidate for the West Bountiful City Council has received a donation of $50 to their campaigns — and he believes his city is not alone. At least one member of the City Council turned down the donation, deeming it improper because he knew a billboard issue was going to come before the council, Behunin said.

“As a mayor, I have a difficult time with Dewey Reagan’s donations. They have not helped. In fact, I feel like it has created an environment where it seems he’s trying to buy influence.”

Woods Cross City Mayor Kent Parry said he is aware that Reagan is pushing the bill, but says he doesn’t know what efforts the sign company may be making with legislators.

Davis leaders contacted by the Clipper believe there has been a history of contributions but acknowledge they are perfectly legal. They worry, however, that years of ongoing donations put Reagan in the position of wielding enormous clout on Capitol Hill.

Several attempts to contact Dewey Reagan, company president, were unsuccessful as of press time.

As for the bill itself, Davis County officials aren’t thrilled with what it may mean to the parkway.

Woods Cross City Administrator Gary Uresk, who chairs the Legacy Parkway Scenic Byway Committee said the committee has submitted a grant to the federal government for funding to build restrooms along the 14-mile trail, and that grant may not be approved if the road loses its scenic byway designation because it has billboards along the route. And there may be other grants Davis County may lose out on if billboards are allowed.

But Herrod has said the bill's intent is not to take away local control. “My concern is giving away state control (to the federal government). I’m trying to find a balance so that people aren’t giving up property rights down the road.”

That’s a view Davis County Commissioner Louenda Downs can understand. “We need to be careful we don’t stop business opportunities and the chance for people to advertise.”

On the other hand, she said “we want to keep the feel of (the nature preserve).” She too spoke of the federal grant money, which will allow the cities and county to preserve that ambiance.

Centerville’s Community Development Director, Cory Snyder, who also serves on the scenic byway committee, said that unless the bill has a retroactive clause, he doesn’t believe the bill will affect the application to name the Legacy Parkway as a National Scenic Byway.

Even if the federal designation is granted, there is still an opportunity for the state to change its mind, Snyder said. “The state could apply to un-nominate the byway by proving that it no longer meets national qualifications.”

Tom Busselberg, Becky Ginos and Jenniffer Wardell contributed to this report.