StandardNET www.standard.net Marriott-Slaterville gears up for battle Mayor suggests different route for proposed Legacy Highway Thursday, July 13, 2000 JO ANNE KEEFFER Standard-Examiner correspondent Marriott-Slaterville is preparing for what may be a David versus Goliath battle as the City Council gears up to fight the propsed Legacy Highway route through the area. The proposed route comes through Hooper at approximately 5100 West. Then it turns east and comes through Marriott-Slaterville at about 3100 West, where it includes an interchange at Pioneer Road. The highway would then run between Farr West and Plain City before tying in with I-15 near the Smith and Edwards store on the northern border of Weber County. At a meeting between Legacy Highway planners and affected communities held at the Weber County Fairgrounds, Marriott- Slaterville Mayor Keith Butler proposed the highway stay below 5100 West and then follow an abandoned railroad right of way to I-15. Citing State Road 126, I-15, and the Willard Canal, all of which already run through the community, Butler said the city has been so cut up, "It's beginning to look like a waffle." He fears the community may not survive the major cultural shock that Legacy Highway would represent. According to city recorder Bill Morris, the city has "made a diligent effort to be involved in the process with Legacy Highway." For example, in February, the City Council passed a resolution approving the western alternative as Marriott-Slaterville city's preferred alternative for the Legacy Highway. They sent a copy of that resolution to Legacy Highway planners, but according to council president Orville Holley, the city received no response. Holley further stated that, although highway planners had met with officials from Plain City and Farr West, officials from Marriott-Slaterville had not been included in those meetings. As a result, the City Council has sent a letter outlining their objections to the proposed route and asking to meet with planners to discuss their differences. At the City Council meeting last week, attended by several city residents who don't want the highway running through their community, Holley read a letter the city is sending to Mike Hegarty of Baker Corp. and George Ramjoue of the Wasatch Front Regional Council. The letter outlines the reasons the proposed route is not acceptable to Marriott-Slaterville. According to the letter, the proposed route is "a meager 1.8 miles from S.R. 126 and I-15, which is too close to existing routes." It also stated that 4700 West was designated as the route for a future major highway 30 years ago. The council says this should still be a viable route. The letter expressed concerns about public safety, saying Marriott-Slaterville is "particularly vulnerable by the dangers of hazardous waste spills because all interstate routes and major state highways will be through our city." Finally, the council's letter deplored the impact Legacy Highway would have on the city's agriculture, natural resources and wildlife habitat. The council has long been committed to preserving the rural character of their community. In 1999, the Utah House of Representatives named Marriott-Slaterville the state's only open space preservation city. "The proposed route of Legacy Highway mocks that designation" as the road will cut through prime agriculture area and would destroy at least one Centennial Farm as well as several other farms. Holley invited Legacy planners to come to the intersection of 1200 South and 1900 West and to look over the area where the proposed highway would run. According to Holley, the highway would endanger some of the most pristine area in Weber County. "Right now," he said, "you can go down there and get lost." 8