With more of the architectural and landscaping details firmed up for a proposed supermarket in the Northgate Village mixed-use development on 800 North, the Orem City Council gave the project the green light Tuesday.

The issue was continued from the Jan. 13 meeting to allow developer Paul Washburn of Washburn and Associates to bring in a more detailed concept plan for the WinCo Foods store, which is expected to provide about 200 jobs.

The WinCo Foods chain operates 62 stores in Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California and Oregon, with more locations scheduled to open this year, according to the company's Web site.

Washburn brought drawings showing the elevation for each of the four sides of the building, described by city planner Jason Bench, as a "medium box" store. A landscaping plan shows trees and a pedestrian access through the parking lot. The drawings were incorporated as part of the Northgate Village zoning regulations.

An LDS Church meeting house is also planned for the development, north of 900 North.

Ty Morrison, a representative of WinCo Foods, gave the council members additional "fast-tracked" handouts of a site plan showing "pedestrian paths that we can control," documents which seemed to alleviate concerns from Northgate residents about being able to safely access the store as pedestrians.

In answer to a question from Councilwoman Margaret Black about what type of outdoor lighting had been selected for the store, Washburn said, "We don't know yet." He acknowledged developers have been looking for the right style that will both fit in with Northgate's Tuscan village style and meet security and other requirements for the 24/7 grocery store.

"I know what you want, and I'm relatively sure that it exists somewhere," Washburn said. "We need to search more."

Morrison said the lights would need to meet "not only aesthetic criteria, but the functional criteria" as well, and, perhaps, a "third wrinkle" suggested by company management -- solar-powered lights.

After the council vote, Mayor Jerry Washburn said, "We look forward to a ribbon cutting -- or a groundbreaking. Let's get the groundbreaking first."

"Our plan is to push as hard on this as we can," Morrison said.

An "optimistic" completion date would be October of this year, he said, or, more realistically, March 2010.

Orem Briefs

Road bond refinancing -- The Orem City Council took the first step Jan. 27 to refinance about $3.5 million of the 1998 general obligation road bonds by adopting a "parameters" resolution setting the conditions under which the sale of the bonds would be authorized. On March 10, the City Council will make a final determination on selling the bonds.

Laura Lewis , the city's financial advisor, estimates that the city can save $16,000 to $20,000 annually by refinancing the bonds with the current lower interest rates. The refinancing does not extend the maturity of the bonds.

Electrical code adopted -- The 2008 edition of the National Electric Code was adopted by the Orem City Council Jan. 27 as an update to the Orem City Code. The code establishes the national electrical standard for building and construction.

Proclamation against pornography -- The Orem City Council voted Jan. 27 to approve a proclamation recognizing February 2009 as "White Ribbon Against Pornography Month."

Treasurer appointed -- Kathy Bunnell, who has been employed with the City of Orem as an accountant, was named on Jan. 27 as the city's new treasurer, and was sworn in to the office by city recorder Donna Weaver at the city council meeting.