Salem rezones Grover land for industry

SALEM — Former Utah County Commissioner Jerry Grover has been restoring Italian cars for years in Spanish Fork, but he may move his operation to Salem.

Grover recently received an industrial-use zone change for his 17-acre agricultural property near the city's sewer lagoons on 460 West, just south of land already designated for industrial use. He purchased the land, which he described as a junkyard, cleaned it up and improved the canals, where water frequently overflowed, he said.

For the immediate future, Grover said, he will use it as pasture land, though he could have put three houses on it, according to the city's general plan. The plan that guides development is now under review.

The portion of property where the junkyard was doesn't lend itself to pasture land, he said.

"I could use the front corner of the property to relocate the business if business improves, but I am not committing to anything at this point in time," Grover said.

City leaders weren't in favor of using the property for houses because of the proximity to the sewer lagoons. They were more in favor of extending the industrial zoning already there. The council approved the rezone last week.

Grover rents about 4,000 square feet for his shop, Piccione's, in Spanish Fork, near the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds. There, he restores pre-1970 Italian cars, which he then sells, mostly to buyers in California.

Grover's wife is Italian, and he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sicily. He also has Italian citizenship.

e-mail: rodger@desnews.com