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SALT LAKE CITY — State lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled five options to plan for growth at the Point of the Mountain. The area near the border of Salt Lake and Utah counties is quickly becoming a focal point in Utah for the economy and future.
The Utah Legislature's Point of the Mountain Development Commission developed the five planned-growth scenarios with various mixes of housing, business, retail and open space.
"The challenge for leaders of our state is to try to plan in advance to maximize the positive things that can occur in that area, not just manage the growth but also facilitate good economic growth," said Rep. Lowry Snow, R-St. George, who co-chairs the commission.
The Point of the Mountain and surrounding area is home to more than 20,000 acres of undeveloped land, which will likely be developed in the next 30 years. With land in demand, the future availability of the 700 acres where the Utah State Prison is, is also an important component to the future but not a specific focus of this study.
"We think, based on that information and opinions of the experts with Envision Utah, that we can get a handle of four to five different scenarios of what this area could look like by 2050," Snow said.
Overall, the commission believes what this area needs is a balanced approach that allows economic growth that is healthy and sustainable and has the taxpayer funding it will take to do it right.
"There are some significant costs, including public transportation and road development," Snow said.
Now the public has a chance to give input before decisions are made that will impact the area for decades to come. Public meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. at Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, 3900 Garden Drive in Lehi; and on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, 12033 S. Lone Peak Parkway in Draper.
POM Phase 2 Summary by KSLcom on Scribd
