The Spanish Fork City Council approved a moratorium on multi-family housing units in a 3-2 vote Tuesday. Councilmen Leifson and Nielson voted nay; Davis, Andersen and Dart, aye.

Junior Baker, city attorney, said the measure stems from concerns from Councilman Richard Davis about the multi-family housing in single-family areas.

In some areas, Davis said single families had moved into the neighborhood many years ago, and large lots in old neighborhoods are now being used by larger complexes. City Engineer Richard Heap noted the difficult part comes in when the City starts getting redevlopement in older neighborhoods. The concern with the large units, Davis said, is whether some areas have the infrastructure to support them, and he said residents should not have to pay for the mistake of putting in a larger complex that the infrastructure cannot support.

Mayor Joe Thomas expressed concerns with a moratorium, saying some people have been waiting for some time to get funding, and he does not want the resolution to hinder their development more.

My only concern is that we address this quickly, because it affects a lot of people, he said. After the vot the City staff and council agreed to put this on a fast track -- to end the moritorium by Leifson s preferred time-table of four months.

Councilman Jens Nielson, who also stated his concerns with hampering developments in a slowing economy, voted against the resolution. The other nay vote came from Councilman Steve Leifson, who said he would rather shorten the moratorium to only four months.

The moratorium can only take up to six months by state law, and it can be ended whenever the City Council feels the problem has been resolved. The measure was passed, with Thomas instructing city staff to ensure the council finishes the process in a timely manner.