Intermountain Healthcare and the city of Saratoga Springs both got what they wanted Tuesday night after a lengthy rezoning debate.

The City Council, however, had the same issues the Planning Commission voiced last week over changing the entire property. "If in the future you are not the owner, someone else could build just about anything," said Denise Kelly of the City Council.

"We understand the concerns the City Council has expressed," said Scott Roberson, Intermountain Healthcare group operations manager. "We take our responsibility very seriously to develop property that is esthetically pleasing to the surrounding community. We want to build a clinic there to service the needs of the community. We think we might be interested in building a hospital there in the future."

The "might" was the rub.

Roberson said that while in all likelihood a hospital would be built, there was no way to guarantee to the City Council when or even if it would happen. Economical development, market forces, and health trends could all work to make the potential hospital open its doors sooner, or could exclude it from ever being built.

The Council agreed, and feared that if they zoned the entire property regional commercial, the "buffer zone" that was created in the city master plan would be completely removed.

"If we can't have assurance now to use the property as we plan, we would likely sell it and build our facilities elsewhere," Roberson said.

A compromise was eventually reached, where the City Council rezoned the entire property as Intermountain Healthcare requested. Intermountain agreed to include a condition in their master development plan that if they were to decide to sell, they would notify the city first.

"The property has been rezoned to Regional Commercial by the City Council with the understanding that a Development Agreement will be finalized prior to issuance of a building permit for the proposed clinic," said Sarah Carroll, Saratoga Springs senior planner.

Development of the clinic will begin as soon that agreement is put together and approved by both groups. The proposed clinic would be approximately 9,500 square feet in size and house the current Instacare that is located just up the street.

It would also provide additional space for other family practice offices as well as limited labs and radiology-type services.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Cedar Fort

Cedar Fort Rodeo Queen contest -- The Cedar Valley Civic Improvement Association has announced the date and registration information for the 2008 July 24th Cedar Fort Rodeo Queen Contest. The contest will be held on June 7 at 9 a.m. in the Cedar Fort Arena. Contestants should plan to be ready at 8 a.m. on June 7 so the first rider can be in the gate at 9 a.m. The registration deadline is May 24.

The patterns and rules information packets will be mailed out on May 24. Girls ages 11-16 are invited to compete for the queen title. Contestants 10 and under may compete for the princess crown. Winners will be asked to participate in the Cedar Fort morning slack events, noon parade and afternoon rodeo on July 24. Little cowgirls five and under are invited to dress in their Western best and ride their toy ponies in the Stick Horse Princess Parade during the queen contest at 11:30 a.m. on June 7 at the Cedar Fort Arena. For more information, call Jamie Davis at 995-2651.

Eagle Mtn.

Residences needed for city's monthly water testing -- Eagle Mountain City's Water Department is looking for residents who are willing to have their homes used as sample sites for their routine bacteria testing. This testing is conducted once per month.¬ 

If you are willing to offer your home as a test site, please e-mail our water foreman, Blake Webb at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call and leave a message for Blake at 789-6676.

Lehi area

Round-up Queen Contest -- The Queen Contest for Lehi Round-up 2008 is May 17 at the Coyote Creek Ranch, 8194 Sagehill Drive in Saratoga Springs just two miles west of Lehi on SR 73. Each contestant will be judged on horsemanship, interview, modeling of formal western attire, rodeo and equestrian knowledge, personality and appearance.

Contestants do not need to be a resident of Lehi but must be 16 years of age and single and willing to meet pre/post rodeo appointments in parades, personal appearances and other events. More information and contest applications are available from Melvin or Dona Anderson at 768-4926, John or Lacy Lewis, 768-4724, or at www.lehi-ut.gov/roundup.