City prefers subdivision plan that enhances roadways
EPHRAIM—The Ephraim City Council continued its months-long discussion last week of the city’s transportation master plan and a request by a developer, Muddy Boys of Orem, who want to build a housing development at approximately 235 S. 400 West.
The city agreed at a meeting April 6 to change the zoning designation from RA (residential- agriculture) to R3 (medium-density residential), to allow the developer to construct three-unit townhomes on the property.
Clayton Holbrook, representing Muddy Boys, said there were two options for providing access to the development. Option one is the “hammerhead” plan, which would extend 300 West along the east part of the property, through the development, to 400 West. Option two would be a cul-de-sac coming east from 400 West and terminating without connecting to the rest of the street system.
The city preferred option first option, the “hammerhead option,” which would improve both 300 West and 400 West. Still unresolved is an offer by the developer to purchase land from Ron Stevenson, the landowner on the east side of 300 West, that would make improving 300 West easier. Without the land, the road may have to make a jog to line up the existing road with the future 300 West.
“We would like to see 300 West improved, because our city’s master transportation plan has both 300 and 400 West eventually being fully developed and connecting with the Ephraim Crossing development to the south,” Kimball said.
In another issue concerning roads, the council discussed a federal grant awarded to the city about two years ago for $1.5 million, which would enhance and reinforce the Canyon Road and add sidewalk, curb and gutter along the road all the way to subdivisions near the mouth of Ephraim Canyon.
Mayor John Scott said that with trucks bringing loads of logs out of Ephraim Canyon, Ephraim Canyon Road will take a pounding and needs to be reinforced. Additionally, many people walk or bike up and down the road, and safety will be improved significantly with sidewalks and curb on both sides.
The council had the option to take a smaller amount, $1.3 million, and have the state administer the grant instead of the federal government. City Manager Shaun Kjar said that although the city would forego about $200,000, there would be fewer requirements and fewer hoops to jump by taking the state grant versus the federal money. The council decided to take the state grant instead the federal funds.
Increasing construction costs will impact the project. When the grant was issued a couple of years ago, $1.5 million would have reinforced the road and put sidewalks on both sides. Now Kjar said the city will have to just do the best it can with the funds it receives.
“We’ll just use the money we have and go as far as we can go,” Kjar said.
