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FEATURE

EDCUTAH Board Endorses West Bench General Plan for Salt Lake County

Last week the EDCUTAH Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support the proposed West Bench General Plan, a high-level, long-term development plan for Salt Lake County’s West Bench.

“This is an important moment in our history. As a community, we face many complex challenges including that of extraordinary growth,” says Jeff Edwards, EDCUTAH president and CEO. “Within the next 25 years, Salt Lake County alone is expected to have a population increase of more than 500,000. Such dramatic growth will have profound effects upon land use within the County.”

Edwards says the long term economic viability of Utah’s economy depends on the kind of far reaching thought expressed in the West Bench General Plan. He says the EDCUTAH board was impressed with the effort made to plan for new employment centers in the West Bench, noting that a plan that looks only at residential development is not complete.

David White, project manager for Salt Lake County, says the General Plan is a collaborative effort between Kennecott Land, Salt Lake County, the Salt Lake County Council of Governments, and numerous other groups including government, environmental, business and community leaders. The plan encourages the majority of housing and employment centers to be located close to major transit routes, civic activities, parks, and open spaces, while preserving approximately 34,000 acres as open space and wildlife habitat. What’s more, the plan integrates a comprehensive trail and sidewalk system, implements watershed management and water conservation, and promotes an energy efficient environment.

White says the plan doesn’t try to predict whether the land will remain in the county, become part of a new city, or be absorbed into existing cities within the county. Rather, the plan focuses on core values, efficient delivery of services and economic sustainability. “The plan is not in competition with any of the cities in the county. Internal population growth in the county is coming whether we decide to plan for new residents or not. The difference,” he says, “is whether we prepare well or extremely well.” The West Bench General Plan seeks to accomplish the latter by incorporating best practices to create vibrant, sustainable communities.

The General Plan allows for flexibility in defining individual communities and their evolution over time, but also suggests 11 development districts as a starting point for that evolution. The districts are not structured after traditional land use zoning patterns, but rather they are based upon five core concepts that foster a mixture of uses, activities and movement. The core concepts are:

• Resource conservation
• Hierarchy of mixed-use centers
• Economic growth
• Quality neighborhoods
• Transit corridor
• Parks

Suggested Development Districts

Barneys – This district is planned with two or more Village Centers and a population of approximately 60,000 people or more. Office and retail space may be distributed among Village Centers and numerous Neighborhood Centers. Small portions of the Barneys area are within the incorporated city limits of West Valley City and West Jordan.

Bingham – This district is planned for long-term development and may provide for a population of approximately 60,000 people or more. Retail and office space may be focused in two or more Village Centers and multiple Neighborhood Centers. Located near the Bingham Mine, the area will likely be suited for development in the long term, after the areas surrounding the mine have been reclaimed.

Butterfield – Butterfield may provide for a population of approximately 45,000 people. This area will likely share the Town Center in Midas Gulch and is the gateway to Butterfield Canyon.

Clay Hollow – This district is planned with new neighborhoods and clustered residential development of approximately 60,000 people or more. Located near transit corridors, it provides convenient access to employment centers. Clay Hollow may also include community services, amenities, and civic buildings located near Village Centers and several Neighborhood Centers.

Little Valley – This district is located on the east-facing slopes of the Oquirrh Mountains south of Highway 201 adjoining Magna. The area may consist of clustered residential development and residential neighborhoods, providing for a population of approximately 20,000 people or more. Little Valley may have two or more Village Centers and multiple Neighborhood Centers comprising businesses, shops, and civic uses as well as areas for flex/research development. It is anticipated that this district will be one of the first areas developed.

Main Street Neighborhoods – Main Street Neighborhoods may provide for a population of approximately 45,000 people in addition to the existing Magna population.

Midas Gulch – This district is located west of Daybreak and is proposed for second phase development possibly 15 to 30 years out. Midas Gulch could reach a population of 60,000 people or more. Substantial new office and retail spaces may be provided in Town Centers, three or more Village Centers, and multiple Neighborhood Centers. A future university/college campus is planned for Midas Gulch and could provide a catalyst for high technology jobs in the region.

North Urban Center – Located at the intersection of I-80, Highway 201, and the new transit boulevard, this district may include the new Urban Center within the West Bench. The planned new regional employment center is mostly located on lands within the incorporated limits of Salt Lake City. Associated neighborhoods may surround this new Urban Center, providing for a possible population of approximately 40,000 residents.

North Oquirrh – This district is viewed as a future major industrial area near I-80. With approximately 18 million square feet of industrial space, and a population of approximately 6,000, this area may become a major employment center for the region.

Soldier Flats – This district is unique among the West Bench properties due to its isolated mountain setting. Soldier Flats is currently being considered as a resort location that might include winter skiing and summer recreation. The area may also include neighborhoods for approximately 15,000 people or more, served by Village Centers for retail space.

Tailings - This district may include three or more Village Centers, Town Centers, a Transit Boulevard District providing retail development and an extensive Flex/Research and Development area for office and industrial space, with a population of approximately 90,000. Ongoing mining operations and anticipated reclamation of mining lands make it likely that this development will occur in the longer term.

White says the plan is a public/private partnership that will create the best business and living environments. Plan objectives and policies focus on eleven elements:

• A Regional Framework
• Community Values
• Land Use and Multi-Modal Transportation
• Utilities and Services
• Environmentally Sustainable Design
• Natural Resources
• Parks, Recreation, and Trails
• Economic Sustainability
• Housing Affordability and Variety
• Educational Resources
• Heritage Resources
  

While the success of the plan will depend on the continuous re-evaluation and response of appropriate strategies and services to the unique issues that emerge, Edwards says adoption of the West Bench General Plan will be the first in a lifetime of milestones that will take place over the next 75 years.

For in-depth coverage of the West Bench General Plan visit Salt Lake County’s web site.

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CALENDAR

Nov. 8:

EDCUTAH Investor Quarterly Update Meeting (Salt Lake), 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Investors $20, all others $25. Please RSVP to Trina Stanley by Thursday, Nov. 2 at 801-328-8824 or by email at tstanley@edcutah.org.

Nov. 12-15:

CoreNet Global Summit (Orlando, FL.)

Dec. 14:

EDCUTAH Holiday Open House (Salt Lake), 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Trina Stanley by Thursday, Dec. 7 at 801-328-8824 or by email at tstanley@edcutah.org.

Jan. 10, 2007:

Washington County Economic Summit (St. George)
7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., for more information contact:
Dixie Business Alliance, 225 South 700 East, St. George, 84770. Call (435) 652-7724 or email; website:
http://www.whatsupdownsouth.com

Feb. 8, 2007:

23rd Annual Investors Choice® Venture Capital Conference (Salt Lake City)
Learn the venture process, build a fundraising presentation and meet with venture, corporate and angel investors.  Submission deadline is October 30th. For more information visit: www.venturecapital.org/utah.

IN THE NEWS

Economic Development Headlines

Huntsman Takes a Turn at Finessing China Trade

- Huntsman is heading a delegation of Utah-based businesses and institutions of higher education through two Chinese cities to help them better understand a market of 1.3 billion people who themselves are still learning the ways of free enterprise. (Morning News here, here, here, here, and here) (SL Tribune here, here and here) (Daily Herald here and here) (KSL)

Church Re-Evaluating Uses of First Security Building

- The First Security building has another chance to remain standing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had initially planned to demolish the historic building, also known as the Deseret building, as part of its revamping of the downtown Salt Lake City malls. (Morning News) (SL Tribune)

Northwest Salt Lake Planner Picked

- The future of Salt Lake City's last large undeveloped area will be planned by the same company that recently laid the groundwork for 90,000 acres of the Salt Lake Valley's west bench. (Morning News)

Salt Lake Firm is Buying Ogden AOL

- Teleperformance announced Thursday that it will buy the assets of AOL's Ogden call center facility and that it will provide AOL with call center outsourcing services starting on or about Dec. 16. (Morning News here and here) (SL Tribune here and here) (Daily Herald)

Refiner's Fire: Uinta Basin on a Quest for its Own Refinery

- No one has built an oil refinery in the United States for 30 years. But some say eastern Utah's most promising resource is being held hostage by powerful Wasatch Front refineries, and support is building for a facility dedicated to home-grown product in this part of the state. (Morning News)

SLC Had Bid for Ski Maker

- Ogden's gain is Salt Lake City's loss. Utah's capital wanted to be the next U.S. headquarters of Amer Sports Corp., a ski-equipment company. Instead, Amer Sports chose Ogden - despite a larger subsidy offered by Salt Lake City. (SL Tribune)

Lots of Ideas Put on the Table for Vision Dixie

- Forty-one people had the first word Wednesday night in a dialogue on the future of Washington County. The first of 13 Vision Dixie workshops took place in Virgin, where members of the public gathered around maps to develop long-term strategies for land use, growth and transportation. (The Spectrum here and here)

Interconnect is Good Move

- With more than 10 years of negotiation and the settling of a couple of lawsuits all squared away, Brian Head Ski Resort is set to draw the ski industry away from the northern part of the state with an approved interconnect between Navajo and Giant Steps mountains. (Spectrum here and here)

State Should do More to Help, Farmers Say

- The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has been slow to help farmers and ranchers in their effort to branch out into agritourism, they contend. (SL Tribune here, here, and here)

Lights, Camera, Windfall!

- Shown financial figures verifying that "if you fund it, they will come," legislators heaped praise Wednesday on the Utah Office of Tourism for its campaigns to increase the number of out-of-state tourists and filmmakers bringing their money into Utah. In the past three years, the state agency's Motion Picture Incentive Fund has provided $3.3 million in post-performance tax rebates to filmmakers shooting movies, television shows and commercials in Utah. The resulting economic impact to the state was $49.2 million, a return of $14.82 for every state dollar invested, said Tourism Office Managing Director Leigh von der Esch. (SL Tribune)

Committee OKs Selling Part of Land to Developer

- Already in pretty good financial shape, Utah's Olympic facilities moved a little closer Wednesday to having an even more secure future. A legislative committee unanimously endorsed a request Wednesday by the Utah Athletic Foundation (UAF) for a resolution that will allow it to sell up to 10 percent of the land within the Utah Olympic Park complex of ski jumps, a bobsled/luge track and a freestyle aerials pool outside of Park City. (SL Tribune)

Amer Sports Ogden Site Revealed

- Amer Sports Corp. is apparently planning to move its North American headquarters to the American Can Co. complex downtown, according to an official with one of the firm's subsidiaries. (Standard Examiner)

West Valley Creates a CDA for Revamped Center

- Work toward a revamped city center progressed Tuesday night when the West Valley City Council created a community-development area (CDA) that allows the city to use future tax revenue to fund the project. The planned 258-acre development west of I-215 includes the Valley Fair Mall, City Hall and businesses along 3500 South... (Morning News) (SL Tribune)

Expanded Tourism Budget May be Paying Off for Utah

- What a difference $10 million makes. The Utah Office of Tourism and Film has come a long way since the days when all it had to promote the state was $900,000 — about the same amount Vail, Colo., used to pitch its summer season. Now, instead of ranking near the bottom of all states in budgeted tourism dollars, Utah falls within the top 15, armed with a budget that is generating catchy television spots and slick magazine ads.   (Morning News)

Another Legislative Leader to Join Gov's Economic Office

- Another leader in the Utah Legislature is joining the ranks of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. (KCPW)

Saarland Visit Fosters Utah-Germany Technology Collaboration

- Numerous technology collaboration opportunities exist between Utah and German companies and universities. Officials and CEOs from companies in Saarland met with Utah Technology Council members and presented their companies' technology advances during a visit to Salt Lake City recently. (PR Newswire)

USTAR is Courting Universities

- Leaders from the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) told state lawmakers Tuesday the project is up and running, and leaders are exploring areas of opportunity at Utah universities. (Morning News)

Stoke Higher Ed's Engine

- One of the most exciting programs to emerge from the 2006 Legislature was USTAR, the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative. The overall goal of USTAR is to bolster the state's economy with high-paying jobs resulting from the commercialization of university research. USTAR funding would be used to recruit top-drawer researchers, construct research facilities and fund the activities of research teams. (Morning News)

Jobs Up, Inflation Down

- It doesn't get much better than this. But how is it possible? The Utah Department of Workforce Services reported Tuesday that the state's unemployment rate fell to 2.8 percent in September, down 1.5 percentage points from the same month a year ago. Job growth rose again to 5 percent for the month. (Morning News) (Daily Herald) (SL Tribune)

Utah Sells its Versatility as Film Location

- Ever been to Morocco? South Dakota? Saskatchewan? Istanbul? The Appalachians? If not, there's a good chance you've seen their film doubles, all of which can be found in Utah. (Morning News) (Park Record)

Pleasant Grove Unveils its Plan for Convention Center

- Pleasant Grove leaders are making a push to snare coveted county tax revenues for a proposed convention center in their city. (SL Tribune) (Daily Herald)
(Morning News)

A New Ogden Plant and the A-700 Jet Propel Adam Aircraft

- High above the crowd gathered on the outskirts of Ogden's Hinckley Airport, the Adam Aircraft A-700 jet soared into the clear morning sky. (SL Tribune)

Florida Metals Fabricator to Open Pant in North Ogden

- U.S.F. Fabrication, which specializes in making access doors for the wastewater industry and access frames and covers for the utility market, is planning to expand operations outside its home state by launching a new facility in Northern Utah. (The Enterprise)

JCPenney to Return to Weber County With New Off-Mall Format

- J. C. Penney Co. Inc. has signed a letter of intent with both The Boyer Co. and Big-D Construction to build a free-standing store in Riverdale. (The Enterprise)

Video Game Retailer Plans to Open 12 Stores in Utah

- PlayNTrade, a Colorado Springs-based chain of stores that sell new and used video games and consoles, has entered the Utah Market and plans to open 12 new stores throughout the state. (The Enterprise) (Utah Business Magazine)

Five Utah Firms Make Technology Fast 500 List

- Five Utah companies have been ranked in the Deloitte's 2006 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America. (The Enterprise)

AmericanWest Bancorporation Announces Agreement to Acquire Utah-Based Far West Bancorporation

- Spokane-based AmericanWest Bancorporation and Utah-based Far West Bancorporation have announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Far West Bancorporation, and its principal operating subsidiary Far West Bank, will be merged with and into AmericanWest Bancorporation. The transaction is valued at approximately $150 million. (Utah Business Magazine)

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The EDCUTAH Economic Review is a weekly publication of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.  It is distributed to EDCUTAH partners and selected other government and civic organizations interested in Utah's economic development. If you prefer not to receive this newsletter, please use the link below. Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are always welcome. Click here: Comments