Hooper council debates Smith's-linked development, funding options; no final vote

Hooper City Council spent the bulk of its June 24 work meeting discussing a proposed commercial development anchored by a Smith’s grocery and a related housing plan that would require changes to the city’s general plan, zoning map and a development agreement. Council members aired competing views on whether Hooper should participate in a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) or require the developer and future builders to cover infrastructure through impact fees or pioneering agreements; the council did not take a formal vote on those questions.

The debate centered on infrastructure and financing. Council members and staff said the project as presented would require a new lift (pump) station estimated in the meeting at roughly $1.9 million–$2.0 million. Council members repeatedly asked who would pay early-year costs while construction and buildout were underway, and whether the city would be “fronting” any money or instead require the developer to…