By MIKI MEEK
High-density housing has become an issue and an objection for many citizens in Lindon who would like to retain the city’s rural atmosphere.
“There is a major fear that (complexes) will threaten a current lifestyle,” said Kevin Smith, planning director for Lindon City.
Citizens don’t want to see Lindon become crowded with complexes like its neighboring city, Orem, Smith said. He said the major concerns among citizens are an increase in traffic, water rates and public services.
“I came to a Lindon for a little bit of country. I moved out of Orem because they moved in on me,” said Ted Lott, a Lindon resident.
Lindon has 250 complexes spread throughout the city. To keep complexes scattered, the Lindon City Council enacted the R2-Overlay Ordinance on Dec. 15. Smith said the ordinance was a means of both avoiding high-density areas and integrating low- to moderate-income housing with medium- to high-income housing.
Proposals for high-density projects are constant topics at City Council and planning meetings. However, these topics are usually met with considerable resident protest.
Smith said the city is discussing ways to handle these projects. He said the city has considered allowing complexes to be built in clusters on the condition that they are surrounded by open areas.
The Energy Sciences Network proposed to the Lindon City Planning Commission on Jan. 13 a multiple family housing project. ESnet planned to build 25 units per acre on 10.5 acres of land. The housing was to include affordable apartments, condominiums and townhouses for young families on 400 W. 600 South.
“The traffic it would create is ludicrous,” said Leon K. Bishop, a Lindon resident. He said the idea of a complex in his back yard was not very appealing.
The Planning Commission denied ESnet’s request and turned it over to the City Council. The council will review ESnet’s plan on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at the City Center, 100 N. State St.
Lindon would like to retain the city’s motto, “A little bit of country,” and this was a factor in the plan’s rejection, said John Ayer, manager of land planning and acquisitions from Quantum Management Group, who is handling the project for ESnet.
