Resort near Utah Lake harbor not a sure thing

American Fork council still uncertain what to do with its harbor area

AMERICAN FORK — A proposal to develop a resort area north of the existing American Fork boat harbor on Utah Lake is still rough and uncertain.

The American Fork City Council and Planning Commission met recently to discuss what is referred to as a resort area in the city's land-use plan. And even though city planners had drafted a potential zoning ordinance for the area, council members ended the day still unsure of the direction they want to take with the area surrounding the harbor.

"As the city moves south, this is clearly more important," city planner Rod Despain said. "It's not something that is way down on the south end against the lake. It's something we have to address, and that is a large part of what the ordinance is trying to do."

The ordinance is strict in the sense that it is specific about what could and could not be built near the harbor.

Its focus is on the development of the "marina" — its infrastructure and other supporting facilities such as boat storage areas, additional parking, picnic areas and possibly other marina-related commercial development.

Overall, these facilities would need to "enhance" the activities of the boat harbor, according to the draft of the ordinance.

There were also a few concerns brought forward by city council members and planners alike.

The boat harbor and the proposed marina zone are both located on a flood plain by Utah Lake, or "shoreline protection area." Historically, the lake has been known to rise and cover any shoreland below 4,495 feet elevation.

Council members and planners also harbor concerns about what measures would have to be taken by the city to protect any development should the water level of the lake rise.

Also, the swamp-like nature of the flood plain also poses liquefaction danger to buildings in the case of an earthquake, which would have to be accounted for in the engineering and construction of permanent structures.

But what the city council was really concerned about was the commercial aspects in the development in the area.

"Which drives which?" Despain said. "The marina drives the commercial, or does the commercial exist independent?"

The city has had expressions of interest from condominium builders, but Despain said the city wants to avoid defeating what it is trying to accomplish in the area, which, according to the draft of the ordinance, essentially would be marina-oriented development.

Potential projects the draft mentions are camping and picnic areas, short-term lodging facilities, curio shops, gas and service stations, boat launch ramps, golf courses and horse stables and arenas. Other facilities with similar uses will also be considered by recommendation of the Planning Commission.

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