MAPLETON — A proposed boundary change that would bring into Mapleton land where explosives manufacturing took place for more than 60 years is meeting opposition from residents.

The Mapleton City Council is considering a proposal to modify boundary lines with Spanish Fork, bringing land owned by Ensign-Bickford into the city for both residential and commercial development. The proposal would give the city a much-needed commercial corridor along U.S. 6 and the potential for residential neighborhoods with as many as 1,000 homes.

Mapleton offers a closer proximity for sewer lines than Spanish Fork.

The idea apparently originated with Councilman Mike Cobia.

"In all honesty, the developer was approached by me 2 1/2 years ago," Cobia said. "The motivation is to get a commercial base for the city."

Ensign-Bickford has been sued several times by the city and residents in the past decade after a plume of contaminated ground water was discovered moving north from the plant toward Mapleton. The contaminated water got into one of the Mapleton's wells, as well as private wells in the city.

Several residents claimed they were sickened by the explosive residue and some died, including former Mayor Marilyn Peterson.

Resident John Roylance said a group of residents opposing the boundary modification plans to publish fliers to give people facts about the land. The council asked for accuracy and said it, too, would like to be informed about the group's research.

Councilwoman Ann Tolley said the land, some 600 acres, will be developed whether it's in Spanish Fork or Mapleton.

At an earlier meeting, state environmental officials said the land has been cleaned up and is ready for development. Some of the acreage unsuited for development has been capped, officials said.

The council will meet with state environmental officials again in November. Meanwhile, a vote has been delayed.

"We're waiting on the developer to make some decisions so we have a clear idea of what we are going to do," Mayor Laurel Brady said.

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