Public versus private roads are still on the agenda for high density housing in Smithfield. The city council met Wednesday evening to consider approving changes to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance. These changes included requiring all PUDs to build 40-foot wide public roads — 30-feet pavement curb to curb plus sidewalk on one side. The city would own and maintain the roads instead of allowing privately maintained roads in PUDs.

Councilman Brent Buttars raised the issue over the roads again indicating that he thought that wider roads would be better, especially for snow removal. City Manager Jim Gass said that the minimum road width for subdivisions is 50-feet — 30-foot wide pavement and sidewalks on both sides.

Buttars also said he wanted a larger setback. The proposed ordinance would require a 20-foot setback from the sidewalk. This is the minimum width so cars parked in the driveways would not block the sidewalk. Subdivision setback minimum is 30-feet.

As the discussion continued between council members Barbara Kent, Kris Monson, Buttars and Mayor Darrell Simmons, the proposal went to 25-foot set back and a 50-foot roadway. Buttars said he was more interested in just making it a straight 30-foot setback.

Gass said at 30-feet with a 50-foot road it turns into a regular subdivision and not a PUD..

The council eventually decided to table the ordinance until the next meeting. In the meantime, Gass said he would tour with Buttars and others who wish to, various PUDs in Cache Valley. They would look at the setbacks and road widths. He would also take pictures and bring them back to the council for a better understanding of exactly what these widths and setbacks will mean in the real world.

Housing association

Other changes to the PUD ordinance were well received. Among these are requirements that the developer put 10 percent of the open space costs into a an account. This will be seed money for the homeowners association to maintain the PUD.

The developer will also be required to finish open spaces and other landscaping before moving to the next phase of development.

All sewer, water and storm lines will become property of the city. And the city has the option to take control of maintaining the PUD if the homeowners association fails to maintain the property.

With the PUD ordinance tabled, no action will be taken until the July 14 meeting.

Hyde Park fire service

Hyde Park City renewed the fire service agreement with Smithfield. Smithfield will provide fire service for Hyde Park and maintain a satellite fire station in Hyde Park for local volunteer firefighters to use.

The agreement is for five years and will automatically renew unless either city wishes to renegotiate.

Budgets and taxes

The council approved the property tax rate to 0.001364. City Recorder Dean Clegg said this is the tax rate calculated by the county and represents a decrease in the actual rate compared to last year.

The council also approved amendments to close out the current fiscal year budget.