Eagle Mountain delays annexation of Pole Canyon, White Hills

(Daily Herald) In Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, the big fish declined to swallow the little fish — at least for now.

Council members said that even after months of study and public hearings, there are still too many questions surrounding a proposal to add nearly 3,000 acres and eventually 30,000 residents to Eagle Mountain by annexing the Pole Canyon area and White Hills subdivision. On Tuesday, they voted once again put off making any decision. It was unclear how soon the issue could return for a vote, but Tuesday was the city’s last scheduled council meeting in 2009.

Elected officials said if they add the now-unincorporated area to the city, it must be a win-win-win decision, benefiting existing Eagle Mountain residents, White Hills residents and the developer.

“Don’t kid yourself, this is about jobs and revenue for the city though the [proposed] industrial park,” said Councilman Ryan Ireland. “We need jobs. We need places to work within our city. We need businesses that provide taxes, but at the same time, I don’t want that to come at the expense of [existing Eagle Mountain] residents.”

Eagle Mountain residents must not be saddled with the financial burden of developing thousands of acres for future residents, elected officials said.

Before elected officials would feel comfortable making a decision, there needs to be more detailed information about who pays for roads, the amount of park land available for youth sports, and how ownership of utilities will transition to Eagle Mountain.

In a public hearing, seven people spoke, none of them saying they opposed annexation outright. Among their concerns: wanting to know what the city would allow developers to build in blank land adjacent to existing homes, ensuring the long-term viability of any industry coming into the area, light pollution, air quality and failing roads.

Original Article