A Spanish Fork elementary school auditorium was full Wednesday night as Benjamin residents gathered to discuss whether to incorporate as a town.

The Utah County Commission held a public meeting at the elementary school at the request of five residents who are sponsoring the movement to become a town. Commissioner Gary Ellertson emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was for residents and commissioners to gather information about the option, not to decide whether or not Benjamin will be incorporated.

"We do not take action on that this evening," he said.

County clerk/auditor Bryan Thompson said in an interview that many residents of Benjamin hope to incorporate because they hope to preserve the rural nature of the area. The approximately 900 residents are spread out over the 12 acres, and some residents fear they will not be able to control rapid development if the area is annexed by a nearby city.

Although residents at the meeting voiced their desires to stay the same and avoid expansion, many worried about whether the residential aspect of Benjamin would hinder its ability to pay for services if it does become a town.

Commissioner Gary Anderson, however, said the county will likely conduct a feasibility study if residents proceed to the next step in the process and submit a petition for incorporation. If the feasibility study shows that the town would have a hard time supporting itself, Anderson said the commission would probably try to convince residents not to incorporate.

"We don't want you to fail," he said. "We want you to do what you want to do."

Spanish Fork City Planner Dave Anderson was present at the meeting and assured residents that Spanish Fork does not have plans to annex Benjamin. The city supports the residents' right to choose their own destiny, but he asked that they respect Spanish Fork's eventual plans for the nearby Interstate 15 interchange.

Anderson said the cities of Spanish Fork, Salem and Payson agreed long ago to split the interchange when it is developed.

If Benjamin incorporates and includes the interchange in the town, Anderson said Spanish Fork would be willing to meet with all the cities involved and come up with another plan for the coveted freeway interchange.

"We hope that our current annexation policies are respected," he said.

Several residents were upset that the three cities had agreed on a way to split the interchange, which could bring substantial revenues to whatever city owns the land if a large company built there. Although some thought the deal seemed underhanded, Gary Anderson pointed out that it is required by statute for cities to declare possible annexation locations. The three cities most likely did not strike their deal in an attempt to steal the land from Benjamin, he said.

"I don't think incorporation of Benjamin ever crossed their mind," he said.

The interchange was a hot topic among residents, many of whom said they did not want it developed at all. Steven Bearnson, however, said he does not want his property on the southeast side of the freeway included in the incorporation at all.

He said he and other residents on the east side want no part in the plan because they want to be able to sell their land to developers. Bearnson said his land is close to Salem, which will eventually develop land near him, making it hard to farm there anymore. When that happens, he wants to be able to sell his land and move on, he said.

"Eventually we do want it developed," he said. "That's our choice."