More delay for Legacy?

Disagreements between lawmakers may dismantle a framework settlement agreement involving the Legacy Parkway.

House and Senate Republicans and Democrats met Wednesday in caucus to discuss conflicts over the 14-mile roadway from Farmington to North Salt Lake. Talks centered on two issues: a proposed truck ban on the road and an agreement that "no billboards" would be along the route.

While lawmakers are arguing over the definition of a "truck," it turns out that the "no billboard" agreement is not so clearly-defined, either.

The Utah Department of Transportation can ban billboards from its property, but it can't ban the signs from private property that adjoins Legacy, already a designated scenic byway.

City ordinances will determine whether billboards can be erected along Legacy's east side. "It's almost impossible to regulate the signage there because they don't own the ground," said Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton.

But Democrats say the revelation that billboards may be allowed is a betrayal of an agreement signed last month.

"We were always told 'no billboards,' " said House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake.

And considering the political clout of Bill Reagan and his Reagan Outdoor Advertising — which routinely donates money and/or free billboards to key city, county and legislative candidates' re-election races — "there may or may not be billboards on Legacy," Becker said.

Reagan's company donated $20,000 to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s 2004 campaign. Reagan met with Gov. Huntsman on Monday about billboards on Legacy.

"We have not requested any changes based on that meeting," said Mike Mower, the governor's legislative liaison. "UDOT is taking the lead for the administration in negotiating the agreement with legislators and plaintiffs."

Said UDOT spokesman Tom Hudachko: "As far as anything that is being discussed right now, that is part of the negotiating process and until a final agreement is reached I don't want to comment on the details."

He did say, however, that the agreement signed last month about Legacy was just a "skeleton" agreement and that the final settlement agreement would include specific details.

Lawmakers are on a tight time frame to approve details of the final agreement. A special session is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9. With disagreements occurring so close to that deadline, lawmakers are concerned they won't have enough votes to approve the agreement.

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said he was unsure if he had a majority among House Republicans. Curtis, Huntsman and Senate President John Valentine met earlier this week and discussed Legacy again. "We were told no billboards," said Curtis.

Settlement supporters may need to turn to Democrats to approve the agreement.