Pleasant Grove, Lindon team up

LINDON — Lindon and Pleasant Grove officials are learning the meaning of a new word together, one initially coined by Novell founder Ray Noorda.

The word is "coopetition" and is designed to eliminate the often negative effects of competition.

The word was bandied about liberally as the neighboring cities sat down this week to work out an innovative plan whereby they'll not only work side-by-side to bring development to their shared gateway district surrounding an I-15 interchange but share the profits (as in sales and property taxes) as well.

"It's like asking you to break a cookie, and we'll choose which side we get," said Lindon Mayor Jeff Acerson as the two councils met to discuss the possibilities and outline their goals. "That's really the spirit of this."

Pleasant Grove Mayor Jim Danklef said it only makes sense to share the revenue instead of argue over it.

"We've got 200 acres each of raw ground here (including undeveloped land between Pleasant Grove's 2000 West and Lindon's 700 North)," Danklef said. "We ought to at least try this."

"The way Utah funding is set up, it forces cities to compete for sales tax revenue," Pleasant Grove Councilman Mike Daniels said. "Competition ends up costing the cities involved because they have to give so much away in incentives."

Daniels then listed the common goals for the two cities:

• Eliminate the competition for sales tax dollars

• Direct a more orderly development of the gateway area

• Maintain autonomy within each community

• Make the host city whole for any underlying expenditures (such as infrastructure)

• Offer a quality gateway setting for both communities

• Look for future collaborations

It may not be all sweetness and light.

At least one resident has some concerns.

"You're my nightmare," said Curtis Wolthius, an attorney and real estate developer who attended the public discussion along with his Boy Scout troop. "Two cities trying to control what I do with my property."

"I worry about creating that feeling," said Pleasant Grove Councilwoman Cindy Boyd.