Taylorsville studies areas for redevelopment

TAYLORSVILLE — The City Council here has approved the first steps toward establishing redevelopment areas at two spots along Redwood Road.

The city last week hired Bonneville Research to study land near 4100 South and 5000 South to determine whether the properties are significantly blighted, said Taylorsville economic development director Keith Snarr.

If blight is found and the redevelopment areas are successfully established, the two regions could be set up so an increase in property value would result in some property taxes being returned to the property areas for things such as infrastructure improvement.

The tax-increment funding process is popular among Utah cities wanting to spur development but is criticized by groups such as the Utah Taxpayers Association, which believe the system unfairly takes money from school districts.

The council will hear a report from Bonneville Research early next year, Snarr said. If blight is found, public hearings will be held before the council and other entities that collect property taxes.

So far, there are no concrete plans for either area, Snarr said. However, the city has been in contact with the property owners about the possibility of renovating the neighborhoods.

For more information, visit taylorsvillecity.com.

— Rebecca Palmer