• Buffering — Nearly 50 feet of space, including a walking path and 8-foot wall, will separate Wal-Mart from residences, and noise is limited to 55 decibels. No delivery or outside activity on the loading docks will be allowed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Some council members expressed concerns about the traffic mitigation plan, saying the $87,236 to be kept in escrow for future projects won't go very far, especially if the Legislature turns state-maintained roads over to the city.

Mayor Michael Deamer said UDOT's attitude is that small communities are "out recruiting big-box retailers."

Deamer said while Parrish Lane improvements aren't included in a prohibition against expanding I-15 until 2020, UDOT hasn't moved up the improvements on its schedule.

Putnam expressed disappointment that the council members didn't discuss statistics on increased regional traffic that he contends would clog up the city's only I-15 interchange.

When council members questioned how aggressive negotiations had been, Romney replied, "We are already pushing the envelope."

Regarding the vacancy agreement, Romney said, "This is unheard of. . . . This sends a very strong message they intend to stay."

---

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com