Salem plans for land use near I-15

SALEM, Utah County — Planning is under way near the Benjamin I-15 exit that would give Salem a freeway presence.

Open fields now flank the exit, between Spanish Fork and Payson in south Utah County. Salem recently completed annexing the southeast side of the freeway, though the developed town is several miles from I-15.

A plan revealed recently to the Salem City Council and Planning Commission shows a wide mix of potential uses for those fields, including homes, apartments, a town center, neighborhood and regional commercial centers, business parks, offices, warehouses and light industrial buildings.

Spanish Fork city planner Dave Anderson designed the draft as a consultant for Salem. Anderson included the potential for three seven-lane thoroughfares that would feed a network of streets — 2000 North, which exits the freeway; 500 West or Beet Road; and 1150 West.

Development of the area could take years, but the city wants a plan ready when a developer surfaces.

Salem officials are in the process of revamping the city's general plan, which guides development.

Historically, Salem has featured mostly low-density housing with comparatively little space for nonresidential structures. That may change as the land around I-15 is developed.

However, city officials say they don't want Salem to grow mainly along a main thoroughfare. City leaders also want to avoid low-income cluster housing, tall buildings that obstruct mountain views and roads that don't go through.

E-mail: rodger@desnews.com