KAYSVILLE С History, safety and community were concerns that surfaced repeatedly at a public hearing Aug. 21.
A large contingent of Fruit Heights residents joined their Kaysville neighbors at the hearing, held before the Kaysville City Council. The hearing was held to consider vacating the eastern-most portion of Kaysville’s Center Street where it reaches Fruit Heights’ Country Road.
“Kaysville holds all the cards” in the debate, said Fruit Heights Mayor Todd Stevenson.
Fruit Heights has already paved Country Road as far as is possible, and can only connect with Kaysville’s Center Street with that city’s agreement.
Though the land in question is entirely in Kaysville’s boundaries, Fruit Heights city officials have offered to pay for the improvements because having the road complete would improve fire and ambulance access, which it contracts for with Kaysville. It would also reduce traffic in other congested areas, including the neighborhood surrounding Burton Elementary.
Whether or not to connect the road has caused a “nasty rift” between neighbors, he said, and this is a chance to make it go away, to put aside anger and frustration and allow the community to heal and forgive. Five years ago, Fruit Heights sued Kaysville to have the road opened. The issue is again being discussed because of Kaysville’s proposal to vacate the road, which would turn the land over to adjacent property owners, taking away the city’s right to develop it.
At the start of the hearing, Mayor Steve Hiatt said the debate over opening the road or leaving it closed was older than he is. Indeed, many who addressed the council spoke of the history relating to the parcel of land.
“When I moved in 35 years ago, I was told the road would be opened in six months,” said Richard Tew of Fruit Heights. “I can’t think of one good reason not to open that street. There might be more traffic in front of our house, but that’s OK if it benefits others.”
For more information check out the August 23 edition of Davis Clipper.
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