CLEARFIELD -- The Utah Transit Authority is considering revising its plans to develop 70 acres of land adjacent to Clearfield's FrontRunner commuter rail station after city officials complained.
Clearfield officials say the proposed development would increase Clearfield's population by 8,000 to 10,000 residents -- or 30 percent -- without adequately offsetting the impact.
"It's just fatally flawed that way," Clearfield Mayor Don Wood said.
The development could be the first of many along the commuter rail line that extends from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View.
UTA's master plan calls for more than 3,000 residential units, parking and 700,000 square feet of commercial and office space. But city officials say the UTA didn't plan for schools, churches or open space.
Clearfield officials estimate three to five elementary schools and three churches would be needed for an increase of 8,000 to 10,000 people.
Wood said the intersection near the city's FrontRunner station is so congested that motorists already have a difficult time navigating the area.
Adding 3,000 to 5,000 more vehicles would only exacerbate the problems, he said. Wood also said the development doesn't appear to include enough of a commercial base to offset the impact on city resources, such as police, fire and utilities, that 10,000 extra people and their homes would create.
"We'd love to have (transit-oriented development), but it's got to be right," Wood said.
Wood suggested UTA planners consult the city about its vision through the planning process.
UTA real estate director Steve Hansen said that's what he intends to do.
Hansen said he plans to meet with the Davis School District to get enrollment estimates, as well.
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