Woodland seeks to become a town

COALVILLE — The community of Woodland had its first public hearing Wednesday before a packed house at the Summit County Council chambers to discuss whether the tiny neighborhood of about 200 residents should become a town.

If incorporated, the new town would be located on Summit County's south border with Wasatch County, just south of Francis.

To incorporate, five petitioners must meet a spate of requirements set forth in state code.

"The part that amazes me that we're not in a town is that we've lived as a group of people up until 20 years ago," said Deloy Bisel, a landowner in the community and one of the petitioners. "We just feel like this is a good thing for the community."

Bisel added that he owns 40 acres, but under county ordinances, only one house can be constructed on the land. The landowner has four children and would like to build them homes to create a family farm subdivision, he said.

"We just feel like we want to be a community, have an identity of our own, our own leadership," he said. Bisel would also like additional commercial development in his neighborhood, he said, commercial development the county council has previously denied.

Wednesday night's council meeting represented the second attempt by Woodland residents to incorporate. About 18 months ago, the group had an incorporation plan that included land in Wasatch County. That plan was stopped dead in its tracks by, among other things, a change in state code requiring that more than half of registered voters within a proposed town sign a petition in its favor.

The latest plans for Woodland encompass the historic area along Lower Rivers Road plus Elk Meadows subdivision up to Woodland Cemetery. The plan excludes Woodland Hills subdivision, which includes many residents who opposed the earlier plans for incorporation. Some residents of that subdivision showed up Wednesday to voice concerns, saying they did not want to be left an island between Francis and the county.

Woodland Hills resident Lynn Williams was also concerned that there would not be enough money in the small town to provide services. "If they can't snowplow the roads that I have to go on, I can't go to work," he said. Now, the petitioners have three months to file required documents, including official boundary maps and the petition. Thereafter, the County Council could require a financial feasibility study. From there, the county could be forced to approve the incorporation.

Thereafter, an election would be held to elect a mayor and town officers. Until then, the town will not be allowed to make laws or collect taxes. If incorporated, Woodland plans to contract with Summit County for most services, according to a staff presentation before the public hearing. It would use its long-standing private water system, however.

"We have done a lot of work over the past couple years. While it's a small community, the opportunities are there to grow," said Jan Lefler, who spoke for her mother, Elizabeth Lefler. "We believe that we can sustain ourselves."

For a complete staff report on the proposed town, visit co.summit.ut.us.

"The best thing, if you're against the petition, is to talk to your neighbors," said Summit County Council member David Ure. "That's the only way that you have a fight in this."

E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com