Palmyra considers incorporation

SPANISH FORK — Residents of tiny Palmyra, an enclave of farms and ranches just north of Spanish Fork, are weighing their options leading to a possible push toward incorporation.

Led by rancher Eldon Neves and bolstered — though not officially backed — by Utah County Commissioners Steve White and Gary Anderson, a handful of Palmyra residents met recently at Riverview Elementary to examine the possibilities of becoming a town.

Both White and Anderson are running for re-election.

Mayor Lynn Gilles of Fairfield encouraged the group, noting how the town west of Eagle Mountain is now in charge of its own destiny and hasn't raised taxes in five years.

"I'd rather be the town of Palmyra than a subdivision of Spanish Fork," Neves said.

The proposed boundaries are 800 West on the east, next to the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport and about two miles west and four miles north, said resident Hayden Dain, who is studying the concept.

Spanish Fork now designates the acreage west of the airport as agricultural and industrial land, but annexation may not happen there for 50 years, Spanish Fork city planner David Anderson said.

"Our biggest fear is to see houses west of the airport," David Anderson said. "A petition for incorporation would likely have Spanish Fork's blessing without objection. It could be a good thing for both Spanish Fork and Palmyra."

Still, a sense of urgency prevailed because if an annexation petition is filed before a petition for incorporation, then the residents' chance for a township ends. Both White and Gary Anderson said they supported keeping the community rural.

"We have to save our rural areas," Commissioner Anderson said, noting that farmland is "in the line of fire" for development.

"As long as this County Commission is here, you're safe," he said. "Agricultural zones are great, but they won't make you safe from Spanish Fork annexation. I don't know how long that will last."

If Palmyra incorporates, it could adopt existing zoning to keep it as it is, White said.

"We want you to do what you want to do," Gary Anderson said. "If not, we will protect you as long as we can."

Neves said he feared Spanish Fork was looking at Palmyra as a "plum ripe for picking" because of the acres of flat, vacant land that could be developed.

"Once it starts, it goes quickly," White said.

e-mail: rodger@desnews.com