Lindon mostly OK with Nature's Way plan

LINDON — Having the international headquarters of Nature's Way in Lindon would benefit the city, the Lindon City Council agreed Tuesday night, but it expressed concern about letting go of a plot for a production plant when the land has the potential for generating sales taxes.

Nature's Way, a vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement producer, had been scouting around for a new location because it was only leasing the 200,000-square-foot building it occupies on 1375 N. Mountain Springs Parkway in Springville.

A little more than a year ago, the company bought 31 acres just west of I-15 at 400 North in Lindon for $200,000 an acre. The location was ideal because it wouldn't mean layoffs or employee relocation and could entice customers from both Salt Lake and Utah counties, said Richard Jones, CFO and treasurer for Nature's Way.

"Lindon is progressive in their master plan," said Lon Heiner, quality systems vice president. "That's attractive (to us). Lindon bodes well for an upscale kind of business."

Tuesday night, Nature's Way executives presented the City Council with a building design and asked for a zoning change from general commercial to light manufacturing.

Lindon city planner Adam Cowie said allowing Nature's Way to upgrade the land by adding power and improving water and sewer might pave the way for other, smaller retailers.

"(Those additions) may be cost-prohibitive (for a) small business," Cowie said. "I think the planning commission saw this as a potential that others could utilize and benefit from."

The company said it hopes to be in the building by 2011.

Councilwoman Lindsey Bayless said she was pleased with the plan, which included large amounts of green space, but expressed concern about the zoning change.

"The issue comes down to the benefits of potential infrastructure versus losing the commercial venue and potential revenues," she said. "And does it set a precedent for the rest of the area?"

The area was originally zoned commercial to entice businesses that wanted good freeway visibility.

"We agree the corporate icon would be valuable for Lindon," Mayor Jim Dain said. "What you're hearing is a little concern about losing some sales-tax-generating retail. If there is any way you could introduce some sort of retail component I'm sure it would be a lot easier for us."

The company was asked to resubmit a plan that might include some type of retail to help boost Lindon's tax base, and said it plans to do so within the next few weeks.

"I'd be thrilled to have Nature's Way have their headquarters in Lindon," said Councilman Eric Anthony. "That, to me, is quite a compliment to our community, and I think it'd be great to bring in the employment and a beautiful facility. It's the kind of business that I choose to promote for our community."

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