Fire From 1B Building warehouses with sprinkling systems to store all of his materials. Building a pump station to draw water from the Weber River to help handle future fires. When shown the petition Monday, Bowen said he could understand his neighbors' concerns. "We've already made a decision ... not to go back into that part of the recycling business where we would create a huge pile of old wood," Bowen said. "We have been in this area for 22 years, doing this business in the properly zoned area," Bowen said. "It's hard to mix a recycling business, whether cars or wood, with residential neighbors. "We are not pretty to look at, but we have attempted to be good neighbors." Bowen said people seem to be forgetting that he is the fire's primary victim. He said he has no firm damage estimate, but it could top $185,000, and about 70 percent of that is not covered by insurance. But despite the loss, Bowen said he would like to continue his business of selling repaired pal-ettes, doors and utility-grade lumber. "Twenty-two years of complying with our business permit should indicate that we do have some good qualities," he said. Dave Austin, Weber Fire District assistant chief, said Monday the wood will probably burn for at least another week. Once the fire is out, he said, the district will require Bowen to make 10 changes to meet fire codes. Among those, he said, Bowen will have to keep combustible materials a set distance from property lines, make sure an adequate water supply is available to fight future fires and improve access to the property. Even though he signed the residents' petition, Mecham said he does not want his neighbor's business license suspended. "I feel for him," Mecham said "I think I can put up with the rest of it, just as long as he doesn't have that unsightly wood pile." Standard-Examiner reporter Tim Gurrister contributed to this story. Fire, 17th Street, July 2, 1996 New sewer line for houses angers Slaterville residents By GREG KRATZ_ Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - Last summer, Brent Barton and several of his Slaterville neighbors spoke out against a proposal to bring sewer service to their area. Twenty-five people signed a petition to that effect and gave it to Weber County commissioners on July 3, 1995. But last month, commissioners approved a new subdivision in Barton's area - and a new sewer line and lift station to go along with it. Not only does that go against the wishes of area residents, Barton said. But it could also bring faster growth to a part of the county that some people want to keep rural. "The bottom line here is, the people spoke to you, and you walked all over us," Barton told commissioners Monday. The current debate starts with the proposed 20-acre, 11-lot Dinsdale subdivision, approved by commissioners last month for an area on 1500 West between 250 North and 200 South. That subdivision will be served by a $60,000 lift station installed by the Central Weber Sewer District in the area of 1500 W. 400 North. While Central Weber pays for the station, the subdivision's developer, John Riley, will put up the money to run a sewer line from it to his development. County officials have said Riley will be paid back for his investment with money raised by a $2,500 sewer connection fee. But Barton's complaint is not with the Dinsdale subdivision itself. He is concerned because the new lift station will have the capacity to serve 768 acres in the Slaterville and Marriott areas. Commissioners approved the Dinsdale subdivision and sewer line without notifying area residents, Barton said. And he is worried that he will be forced to hook up to a new sewer system. Curtis Christensen, county public works director, said the county did talk to Slaterville and Marriott area residents last year about forming a special sewer improvement district, but residents opposed it. "We agreed if there was not support for a sewer district, we would not push for creation of that, where everybody would connect in and pay for that cost," Christensen said later Monday. But he said connecting to any new sewer system will be optional for existing residents. County regulations say any home within 300 feet of a sewer line must connect. But Christensen said the county has only enforced that when new homes are built or people are having problems with their septic systems. County resident Dean R. Stauffer said he is not convinced that will always be the case. "You could elect to enforce the law at any time, and then you could force it down our throats," Stauffer said. Other residents said Monday that the sewer will promote growth - something they don't want. Charles "Chuck" Eddy, Independent/Patriot Party candidate in this year's commission race, said he is opposed to any new growth a sewer system could bring to the Slaterville area. "I would like to see us save the farms the very best we can." Commissioner Joe Ritchie said he wants to protect agricultural ground as much as possible, but individual property rights lust also be considered. 46