Weber Sentinel, January 4, 2004 Marriott-Slaterville struggling with growth Joyce Van Tassell joyce@webersentinel.com Marriott-Slaterville, a small rural community of approximately l, 425 citizens, incorporated in 1999 to avoid being swallowed up by Ogden City and losing its name and unique identity. Mayor Keith Butler observed," Most residents want to keep their land as is, but there are a few upcoming developments." If you drive through the community, you see small farms, horses in the pasture, and get a sense of being in a quieter time and place. Marriott-Slaterville borders on the Weber County Fairgrounds, and is home to the county's sewer plant. It is characterized by more rivers and streams than most parts of Utah. Because it is one of the lowest-elevation areas in Weber County, it has a concern unique for a Utah community: dealing with too much water. The area of Marriott-Slaterville that is part of the 100-year flood plain for the Weber River and connecting streams has been zoned agricultural to keep it from being built up for homes or businesses that would then have to deal with, of all things, too much water. "We have more storm water issues than most neighboring communities" stated city administrator Bill Morris. Resident Pam Slater feels that change is inevitable and only a matter of time. This view is shared by many on the city council. Having incorporated so that they could control their own destiny and not be absorbed into Ogden, they want to be able to let things grow in a way that will make as many in the community as happy as possible. At present, the town is growing at a rate of almost 3 percent per year, but expects growth to increase. Translated into real terms, this means that although the city had been growing at a rate of 4-5 homes per year, next year, according to council member Scott VanLeeuwen, Marriott-Slaterville will see 55 new homes built. City planners project that the community will have doubled in size by 2030. Balancing people's rights to use their own land as they wish and still keeping the community as open and rural as possible is a difficult balance, and perhaps impossible. The city council plans to strike as much of a balance in this area as it can by using the city plan that was developed when the city was incorporated. Mayor Keith Butler says, "The decision to incorporate was made after having seven public hearings". Many different city plans were presented for consideration. One provision of Marriott-Slaterville's general plan is that there cannot be a zoning change that does not comply with the general plan. It is hoped that this will help the city grow yet still retain a country feel and appearance in much of the area. City administrator Bill Morris commented, "When residential areas border on commercially zoned areas, there are often competing interests." The proposed Hart development, located at approximately 250 N. 1900 W., features open spaces, a walking trail by a nearby canal, some commercial development and half-acre lots for the homes. This is smaller than the usual one-acre lots and larger residences of Marriott-Slaterville, but is allowed under the city plan because of the inclusion of green space. Councilman VanLeeuwen said, "Marriott-Slaterville is a town where everyone knows each other, sticks together, and has pride in their community." He acknowledges that growth is inevitable, but points to the city plan as a way to organize and control the growth in a way that will benefit the community. His approach is to welcome new people in, yet still keep the open, rural feel of Marriott-Slaterville.