[{"_1":2,"_105":-5,"_106":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,95],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6679760,"mediaKeyId","3383045-cff904077654923ce294d5e9863ea460","parentId",3383045,"title","Developer outlines 107‑lot 'Orchards' master plan; council and planning commission weigh infrastructure, open‑space and water rights","audioSeconds",116,"startMs",3440000,"endMs",3556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383045-cff904077654923ce294d5e9863ea460&start=3440&end=3556","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6679760/Utah/Developer-outlines-107lot-Orchards-master-plan-council-and-planning-commission-weigh-infrastructure-openspace-and-water-rights","mediaUrl","author","Willard City Council","date","2025-01-09T18:30:00Z","article","Heritage Land Development representative Barth presented concept plans for The Orchards — a proposed master-planned community (MPC) on approximately 52 acres in south Willard — to the Willard City Council on Jan. 9, 2025. The proposal, reviewed by the planning commission for several months, would create about 107 lots, dedicate roughly 8 acres of open space and include regional stormwater detention and pedestrian trails.

\"With the first two phases we've completed 17 lots... the remaining properties down here... the remaining properties are proposed at a mix of smaller lots (7–8,000 sq. ft.) and larger lots averaging ~15,000 sq. ft.,\" Barth told the council, describing prior phases and the planned lot mix. The planning commission recommended the project move to the council with adjustments.

Key features and open questions raised at the council meeting:

- Size and density: Total lots proposed = 107 on about 52 acres. Barth said the planning commission had reduced earlier density (from roughly 120–122 lots) to better fit local expectations.

- Open space and trails: The developer proposed roughly 8 aggregate acres of open space, with a long linear parcel envisioned to be dedicated to UTA if the transit agency later needs the corridor. The planning commission recommended concrete trail surfaces and debate focused on whether the city or developer will maintain parks and paths.

- Roads, stubs and future connections: Councilmembers pressed the developer on road alignments and requiring stub roads to serve adjacent properties (including the Harding and Randy parcels) so future developments will connect and not create awkward or unsafe intersections. The developer and staff said the project will tie into the city’s master road plan and that subdivision-level review will finalize specific stubs.

- Sewer and sequencing: The developer said sewer for the remainder of the project depends on adjacent property owners (the Youngs) installing upstream infrastructure; additional phases will not proceed until sewer and related infrastructure are available.

- Water rights: Barth said the development team has about 205 acre-feet of agricultural water rights associated with the property and plans to adjudicate and transfer an amount of culinary water rights to the city; he cited a preliminary figure in the range of roughly 50 acre-feet as the amount contemplated for dedication to the city but noted the final number depends on state adjudication and the city’s ordinance calculations.

- Stormwater: The plan calls for neighborhood storm drainage flowing to a proposed regional detention basin (about 2 acres) and for developer-built open spaces to be constructed and stabilized before later phases move forward.

Staff and councilmembers raised process issues and policy tests for an MPC: the council must find that any MPC conforms with the general plan and provides compatibility with surrounding land uses. Mayor Jordan asked the council to review the general plan and be prepared to discuss whether the proposal meets the required findings.

Timing and next steps

Barth told the council he intends to return in February with a formal application and development agreement if staff and the developer can resolve outstanding items. The developer and staff said they are prepared to include construction-schedule language and phasing commitments in a development agreement, including completing core open-space improvements before building further phases.

No formal council approval or vote occurred on Jan. 9; the item was an informational presentation and an opportunity for the council to give direction before the formal application returns.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Willard City Council Meeting January 9, 2025 - January 9, 2025 CC Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Heritage Land Development told the Willard City Council on Jan. 9 that its proposed “Orchards” MPC would create about 107 lots on roughly 52 acres, dedicate about 8 acres of open space, and depend on sewer connections and water‑right adjudication before later phases proceed.","taxTitle","Willard, Box Elder County, Utah","taxId",79998,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679765,"Residents complain of yards and driveways damaged during Connex fiber work; city points to bond and inspections",536,926000,1462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383045-cff904077654923ce294d5e9863ea460&start=926&end=1462","/articles/6679765/Utah/Residents-complain-of-yards-and-driveways-damaged-during-Connex-fiber-work-city-points-to-bond-and-inspections","Residents from the 300 East / 600 South area told the Willard City Council on Jan. 9 that underground work by a subcontractor for Connex (sometimes referred to in the meeting as Rojas/Rojas concrete crews) has damaged lawns, driveways and cable connections.

\"They broke their underground machine right underneath my driveway,\" Trace Hanzoka said, describing an area where a recently poured concrete driveway had been lifted and left with a hole. Kirk, a neighbor, showed photos to staff and asked how the contractor was selected and what liabilities exist for repairs.

City staff said Connex holds a franchise agreement with the city and that the city required a bond before construction began. City planning staff asked residents to submit damage reports and photos to the city office so staff can create a centralized list and follow up with final inspections and contractor repair requirements. \"Probably best to just send that to call into the city office, but so that we're getting a centralized list,\" a city staff member said.

Residents said service interruptions persisted: in one block, an Internet provider installed temporary lines after the contractor severed existing cable; the temporary fixes had been in place since Thanksgiving, they said. Residents also raised easement questions after crews marked 10 feet inside a private property line; staff pledged to check recorded easements and to follow up.

City staff confirmed that Connex remains ultimately responsible for its subcontractor’s work and that final inspections and a bond claim process exist to secure repairs if the contractor does not finish adequate restoration. The planner said staff would take photos sent by residents and requested that residents email documentation to the planning office.

What residents asked for

- Clear communication on construction schedules and routes so residents can take before-and-after photos.
- A reliable contact for reporting damage and confirmation that the city will monitor contractor repairs.
- Assurance that underground water and irrigation lines, sprinkler systems and newly poured concrete will be repaired to match pre-construction condition.

What the city said it will do

- Maintain a centralized list of reported damages and conduct final inspections.
- Use the contractor bond to require or pay for repairs if the contractor does not complete them.
- Provide a contact point in the planning office for residents; staff asked residents to email photos and addresses to the city.

The issue prompted several residents to ask for a public schedule of upcoming street work; staff said Connex had submitted a permit for Center Street work and that the city would issue an email blast and Facebook post to inform residents of the next work areas.

No formal action was taken by the council on Jan. 9; staff said they will follow up with residents and Connex and will return to the council with unresolved claims if necessary.","Neighbors told the Willard City Council Connex subcontractor crews cut irrigation, lifted concrete and damaged cable while installing underground conduit; the city said contractors carry a bond and final inspections and a centralized damage report will be used to track repairs.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679767,"Willard council shifts business fees to administrative schedule, declines to remove mandatory dog licensing",114,119000,233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383045-cff904077654923ce294d5e9863ea460&start=119&end=233","/articles/6679767/Utah/Willard-council-shifts-business-fees-to-administrative-schedule-declines-to-remove-mandatory-dog-licensing","The Willard City Council on Jan. 9, 2025, adopted Ordinance 2025-1 to remove business license fees from multiple sections of the municipal code and place them in a single, administratively updated fee schedule, but the council rejected a separate move to make dog licensing voluntary.

The vote followed a public hearing in which residents urged the council to retain mandatory dog licensing to help return loose animals to owners and to limit disease risk. \"Licensing helps officers locate the owners and the dog can be taken home, saving time in officers that officers would spend taking them to the shelter,\" said Jean Larson, a Willard resident, during public comment.

The ordinance approved strips business-license fee language out of the municipal code and centralizes fees in a single fee schedule staff can update administratively. Proponents said the change is intended to let the city update fees more quickly as costs rise; opponents worried about the size of some increases and clarity for small vendors.

During public comment a local fruit-stand owner said her seasonal business’s fee jumped from $35 to $120 under the newly proposed schedule. \"My fee went from $35 to a hundred and $20,\" she said, asking the council to review the fruit-stand designation and whether resale of produce triggers the licensing requirement.

Council debate on dog licensing was more extensive. Councilmember Jordan initially moved to approve Ordinance 2025-1 as drafted (which would have removed dog licensing from the municipal code and made it voluntary); that motion failed. Councilmember Rod later moved a substitute that approved the fee-schedule change while removing from the ordinance the proposed repeal of mandatory dog licensing — in other words, leaving mandatory dog licensing in place. The substitute passed on roll call: Jake — yes; Rod — yes; Rex — yes; Jordan — no.

City staff and the clerk described logistics if licensing remains required: Willard currently logs roughly 300 licensed dogs in its records each year, and staff said the city is transitioning records into the CivicReview system. Lisa, a staff member who handles animal licensing, explained the current process and said she can continue to verify rabies vaccinations and issue tags; she and other staff asked residents to bear with a migration of records to the new electronic system.

Mayor Jordan and staff said that although the council left the licensing requirement in place, the city administrator will determine how licensing is processed administratively going forward (for example, by keeping a front-office, in-person option, by using CivicReview online submittals, or a hybrid). Staff told the council they will review the specific fee for seasonal fruit stands and compare county practices as requested.

What happened — motions and votes

- A motion by Councilmember Jordan to approve Ordinance 2025-1 as written (consolidate fees and make dog licensing voluntary) failed (motion maker: Jordan; seconder: Jake; outcome: failed).

- A substitute motion by Councilmember Rod to approve Ordinance 2025-1 to centralize business fees while retaining mandatory dog licensing passed on roll call (mover: Rod; seconder: Jake). Vote: Jake — yes; Rod — yes; Rex — yes; Jordan — no. Outcome: ordinance approved as amended.

Why it matters

The council’s action separates policy (what fees exist) from administrative implementation (how the council or staff can update amounts). That makes it easier for staff to adjust fees for inflation or administrative changes without amending multiple portions of the municipal code. At the same time the council kept dog licensing as a city requirement, addressing public-safety concerns raised during the hearing about rabies, quarantines and returning roaming animals to owners.

Next steps

Staff said they will investigate the fruit-stand fee example, confirm the county’s approach, and bring clarifying information back to council or meet with the business owner. The administrator will also set procedures for how license processing occurs in CivicReview and at the front desk.

(Reporting note: Quotations above are verbatim from the Jan. 9, 2025 Willard City Council transcript; the council used first names only in the record for several members. The article attributes direct quotes only to speakers recorded in the meeting transcript.)","After a public hearing with residents urging retention of dog licenses, the Willard City Council voted to consolidate business license fees into an administratively updated fee schedule but rejected a proposal to make dog licensing voluntary. Council left implementation details to city administration.",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":98,"_43":99,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":50,"_51":102,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":103,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":104,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679756,"Willard council adopts nondiscrimination policy and updates South Willard future‑land‑use map",396,6297000,6693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383045-cff904077654923ce294d5e9863ea460&start=6297&end=6693","/articles/6679756/Utah/Willard-council-adopts-nondiscrimination-policy-and-updates-South-Willard-futurelanduse-map","The Willard City Council on Jan. 9 unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-01, formally adopting a city nondiscrimination policy that staff described as a standard requirement for some grants and city contracts.

\"It's pretty standard,\" the mayor said while introducing the resolution. Councilmember Jake moved to adopt the resolution; the motion carried on roll call (Jake — yes; Rob — yes; Rex — yes; Jordan — yes).

The council also approved a general-plan amendment to include a South Willard future land‑use map (found in Chapter 12 of the Willard City plan). Staff said the planning commission had held public meetings in South Willard and recommended the amendment; the council voted to approve the map with a minor edit to make a small island of property along the highway consistently zoned commercial/industrial as discussed during the meeting.

A roll-call vote on the general-plan amendment showed unanimous approval (Jake — yes; Rod — yes; Rex — yes; Jordan — yes). Staff noted the amendment formalizes guidance for future annexation and development decisions in the South Willard area.

What the council acted on

- Resolution 2025-01, adopting a nondiscrimination policy. Mover: Jake; seconder: Rob. Vote: unanimous.

- General-plan amendment to Chapter 12 adding the South Willard future land-use map, with a staff-suggested correction for an island parcel to be consistently commercial/industrial. Vote: unanimous.

Why it matters

The nondiscrimination resolution positions the city to meet typical federal and state grant and contract expectations. The general-plan amendment provides planners, developers and residents with a forward-looking land-use framework for annexations and development in South Willard so future rezones and infrastructure planning follow a shared policy map.

No further amendments or implementation steps were specified at the meeting; staff will update the published plan materials to reflect the approved map correction.","The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-01 establishing a city nondiscrimination policy and approved an amendment to the general plan to add a South Willard future land‑use map with a minor mapping correction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Developer outlines 107‑lot 'Orchards' master plan; council and planning commission weigh infrastructure, open‑space and water rights

Residents complain of yards and driveways damaged during Connex fiber work; city points to bond and inspections

Willard council shifts business fees to administrative schedule, declines to remove mandatory dog licensing

Willard council adopts nondiscrimination policy and updates South Willard future‑land‑use map