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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs has acquired the rights to develop around 20 acres of land adjacent to Camp Williams, where the city plans to build a new cemetery.
The land was originally intended for a 57-unit housing development, but the Utah National Guard and city of Herriman helped Saratoga Springs acquire the rights for a cemetery through the Army Compatible Use Buffer program, which is designed to help mitigate noise and other disturbances from developed land near military training facilities.
"This transaction serves as a reminder of how good things will happen when all parties can work together for the greater good of the community," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Green, the assistant adjutant general of the Utah Army National Guard, during a press conference to announce the acquisition at Camp Williams on Wednesday.
He said the original National Guard was established with the unique role of defending the American colonies, and consisted of soldiers gathering on the "village green" to drill. The Guard today strives to maintain that level of connectivity with nearby residents, he said.
As the area around Camp Williams continues to grow, that often includes protecting new developments from the impacts of military training, or helping cities develop amenities near the base that are less impacted by training, such as trails or cemeteries.
"We take pride in being part of those communities," Green said.
The land in question is west of the Camp Williams headquarters, and within several hundred yards of several field artillery firing points.
Herriman holds a cooperative agreement with the Army Compatible Use Buffer program, meaning they were able to secure the parcel of land for Saratoga Springs to use.
"Saratoga Springs is grateful for the partnership of Camp Williams and Herriman city in utilizing the ACUB program to provide this buffer to Camp Williams while also providing a desired amenity to our residents," Saratoga Springs Mayor Jim Miller said.
There are multiple parcels of land the National Guard is prioritizing for easements around Camp Williams, and as growth continues, Green said the base will likely be involved in similar community agreements for at least the next decade.
Saratoga Springs announced it is finalizing the concept plans for the cemetery, and hasn't said when it expects the project to be completed.
"In the end, the developer kept their development value, Saratoga Springs received land for their city cemetery, Camp Williams maintains training capability while reducing impact to our neighbors, and Herriman, well, they can smile knowing they completed this transaction for the benefit of all communities around Camp Williams," said Paul Reymond, Army Compatible Use Buffer program manager for the Utah National Guard.
