Davis school board to spend more time considering Legacy Crossing tax proposal

FARMINGTON — The last hurdle for the developer of a proposed mixed-use project in Centerville remains in place.

The Davis School District board on Tuesday tabled action on a tax proposal that would enable a development group to put infrastructure in place for a 28-acre Legacy Crossing development featuring a 14-screen Larry H. Miller Group cineplex and apartment complex.

A couple of board members are balking at the proposal, wondering if Legacy Crossing LLC's project would be too much competition for Station Park, a project proposed to be adjacent to Farmington's FrontRunner station that likewise includes a movie theater complex.

"We can't support, in Davis County, two major theater groups in this part of the county. … You want us to support a project that's iffy," board member Walt Bain told Legacy Crossing representatives during a board work session Tuesday.

"The two are going to compete for the same population, and that's a concern, no matter how great they are," he said later. "I don't think both will succeed."

Legacy Crossing LLC wants the school district to essentially forgo 30 percent of property taxes for 15 years. Among various taxing entities, $5.4 million would be forgone, including about $3.2 million from the district.

Developers say that money would be used for infrastructure improvements needed not just for Legacy Crossing, but for 90 acres between the highway exchanges and for a 530-acre area west of Legacy Parkway that's prime for development. A 90-acre area that contains the Legacy Crossing proposal is mostly vacant and currently yields $109,000 annually in property taxes for the district. That would rise to $566,000 annually five years into the development, and $789,000 annually after the 15 years.

Dan Bridenstine, managing partner with Legacy Crossing LLC, said Zions Bank will not provide financing without the Parrish-Legacy Crossing Community Development Agency getting the tax relief. But board member L. Burke Larsen said he did not believe the tax proposal "makes this project hang in the balance." He suggested Bridenstine continue to work with Zions and the Larry H. Miller Group to "work this out." Because of district budget woes and other issues, "you're not going to get this boy to vote for this," he said.

"We are part of the solution to helping, not part of the problem," Bridenstine countered, noting the property tax boost to the district if the property is developed. "There's no question the school district is the largest (tax offset contributor) in dollars, but … you're also the largest benefactor as we generate the taxing volumes that will come as a result of these activities."