North Temple property owners reject fee assessment

SALT LAKE CITY — North Temple property owners have registered a resounding "no" to a city proposal that would have assessed them $2.3 million in fees to subsidize the cost of improvements along the new airport TRAX line.

The rejection of the special assessment area, which would have levied about $110 per foot of North Temple frontage between 500 West and 2400 West, will likely lead to a budget downsizing that will eliminate many of the project's proposed amenities.

It could also impact the city's $25 million contribution to the project, as some Salt Lake officials see the opt-out decision as a "slap in the face" to the city's substantial financial involvement.

"This could have been the most incredible shot in the arm for an area long overdue for enhancements," said Salt Lake City Council Chairman JT Martin. "Property values for everyone would have only benefited from these improvements.

"Now, I'm inclined to support paring the city's contribution down to the bare minimum and allocating the money elsewhere."

Almost 60 letters of protest from property owners with North Temple frontage were submitted to the city in mid-July. While vetting of the documents has not yet been completed, indications are that the minimum threshold for overturning the special assessment will be met. Statute requires that, in order to achieve a nullification, 51 percent of the roughly 22,000 feet of assessed frontage needs to be protested — a figure that is expected to be well exceeded.

"From what we've seen from the petitions, the numbers will put them over," said acting city engineer John Naser. "With the loss of this revenue, most of the betterments and beautification stuff just won't happen."

Naser said it will be up to the council to decide how to adjust the project to account for the lost funding. As the city's head engineer, Naser will assemble a list of nonessential elements for council consideration. That will likely include things like high-efficiency LED street lights, stamped and colored concrete near TRAX platforms and much of the landscaping.

Councilman Carlton Christensen, who represents a portion of the area within the special assessment, is hoping some of the improvements can still be salvaged following the public outcry.

"Under statute, we can still contract the assessment area," Christensen said. "I think there's still a chance to cut it back to those property owners who are in support of the idea."