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Shelley Osterloh ReportingSalt Lake County is planning for a huge new community on the West Bench of the valley, one that will have nearly triple the number of residents Salt Lake City has. Tonight is the first time the public will see the plan and comment on it.
Imagine a whole other city center like downtown Salt Lake, only on the west side of the valley. It'd be just a few minutes from a ski resort in the Oquirrh Mountains and have housing for about 500- thousand people. That's part of the county's plan for West Bench.
Kennecott has already started on the Daybreak development in South Jordan, but has much bigger plans. It owns some 75-thousand acres on the west bench and plans to develop more than half of it -- 41-thosuand acres.
The area stretches along the west side of the valley from about 21st South to 131st South. It's the largest private development of its kind in the country.
Jeff Daugherty, Salt Lake County Planning and Development: "This is going to have an enormous imact on a lot of people, regardless of where they live in this community."
The Plan includes urban and town centers, a major research and development facility. Smaller communities offering low and high-end housing, employment, retail and commercial uses. It includes a new transit boulevard and system for rail, auto and bikes and still conserves lots of open lands and natural resources.
Jeff Daugherty: "This is probably the valley's best, and for that matter last chance to develop in a smart and sensible way. Not since Brigham Young rolled the wagons in 150 years ago have we had a chance to plan out 73-thousand acres of single ownership in Salt Lake Valley."
Salt Lake County's general plan for the area will guide the private development for the next 50 to 75 years, but work could start within the next four or five years.
Tonight or tomorrow night you can attend an open house to view the plan and voice your opinions of it. Tonight's meeting is at Brockbank Jr. High, tomorrow's is at Kearns HighBoth start at 6 pm.
