Springville plans new fire station and updates impact fee facilities with projected growth

Springville City Council is gearing up for significant growth, with plans to expand public safety facilities in response to increasing demand. During the recent council meeting, officials discussed the impact of residential and nonresidential development on local services, highlighting a forecast from the Mountain Lands Association that predicts substantial growth over the next seven years.

Key to this expansion is the development of an impact fee facilities plan, which will fund new public safety buildings, including police and fire stations, as well as essential equipment like fire engines and ladder trucks. The council revealed that a new ladder truck, costing approximately $1.2 million, is expected to arrive in January, while the replacement of an aging fire engine will also require around $1 million.

The discussion emphasized the need for additional facilities to accommodate future service demands. Currently, the police department is operating with excess capacity, but projections indicate that by 2050, the number of police calls will significantly increase, necessitating more space. In contrast, the fire department anticipates a rise in calls as well, prompting plans to expand Station 42 with an estimated cost of $5.5 million.

Council members also explored the potential for acquiring land for a future fire station, ideally located on the West Side near Walmart, using collected impact fees to secure a better price. This proactive approach aims to ensure that Springville's public safety services can keep pace with the community's growth, ultimately enhancing the safety and well-being of its residents.