Spanish Fork council votes to realign road, approve annexation, adopt land-use and water agreements

Spanish Fork City Council members approved several ordinances, resolutions and intergovernmental agreements during their Sept. 16 meeting, including a partial vacation and realignment of Calpak Avenue, the annexation of 65 acres named the Ray Allen Swenson annexation, a site-plan/development enhancement overlay for a commercial parcel on South Lane, changes to the city’s rules for detached accessory dwelling units on lots of one acre or larger, formal authorization to sign a conversion contract for Strawberry Valley Project water, acceptance of the Stevens Hill annexation petition for further study, and an interlocal construction agreement with Nebo School District for improvements at the Sports Park.

The council handled the items in the public hearing and new business portions of the agenda and approved each item by roll-call or voice vote as shown below. Several items were introduced by city planning and legal staff, and developers or property owners attended the hearings to answer questions.

The most substantive legal explanation came during the Calpak Avenue hearing when Joshua Nielsen, assistant city attorney, summarized the legal standard for vacation ordinances: “The findings being these two, namely that good cause exists for the vacation and that neither the public interest nor any person will be materially injured by the vacation,” Nielsen said. The council voted to adopt the ordinance after a developer representative said construction and paving were underway.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance vacating a portion of Calpak Avenue (realignment): Motion to approve made by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilman Took/Tooke. Roll-call recorded: Councilman Took (Yes); Councilman Cardin (Yes); Councilman Oiler (Yes); Councilman Marshall (Yes). Outcome: approved. Context: City agreed to vacate a short segment so a developer could realign the road as shown on submitted plats; staff said the change preserves public access and will result in a finished paved roadway in the new alignment.

- Ordinance approving the Ray Allen Swenson annexation (approx. 65 acres): Motion made by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilman Carden. Roll-call recorded: Councilman Euler (Yes); Councilman Marshall (Yes); Councilman Took (Yes); Councilman Carden (Yes). Outcome: approved. Context: The property lies near State Route 77/1750 West and contiguous industrial development; staff and commissioners recommended annexation with rural-residential (RR) zoning at the time of annexation so any future zone change would proceed through the regular public process.

- Ordinance approving the Mabee site-plan with a development-enhancement overlay (South Lane commercial parcel): Motion by Councilman Carden, seconded by Councilman Marshall. Roll-call recorded: Councilman Carden (Yes); Councilman Took (Yes); Councilman Marshall (Yes); Councilman Oiler (Yes). Outcome: approved. Context: Applicant and staff agreed the proposed site plan would match neighboring L & S commercial development; a privacy fence and additional landscaping are included to address adjacency to an existing residence.

- Ordinance modifying detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements for lots one acre or larger: Motion by Councilman Took, seconded by Councilman Marshall. Roll-call recorded: Councilman Took (Yes); Councilman Marshall (Yes); Councilman Oiler…