Update on industrialization, and our wetlands report
Separate from the onslaught on wetlands and undeveloped areas perpetrated by the Utah Inland Port Authority, one of the few remaining rural areas in Salt Lake City has been approved for development.
The Northpoint Small Area Plan causes concern for multiple reasons, including air quality, wetlands protection and effect on local residents. The area up for development is west of 2200 West.
“It’s not a neighborhood anymore as far as I’m concerned,”Northpoint resident of 35 years Denise Payne told Fox13 reporters. “With all this construction going on, it’s just not a neighborhood!” I mean we all talk to each other still and try to get stuff taken care of but it’s just a big construction site right now.”
This plan is separate from the warehouse district operated by the Utah Inland Port Authority, which already has 16,000 acres of jurisdiction in Salt Lake City.
The Stop the Polluting Port Coalition put together an easy-to-read report on the effect of these industrial areas and wetlands. While it is specific to UIPA zones, the sentiment and effects parallel those of industrialization near wetlands anywhere.
Air Quality – Encouraging industrial development will draw more truck traffic and pollution to the area, threatening the health and quality of life of residents.
Great Salt Lake – Northpoint borders Great Salt Lake wetlands. With the lake in its current condition, especially, we need to do all we can to preserve the existing ecosystems.
Displacing Residents – The plan as it stands is poised to lower residents’ property values, and force them out of the historically rural neighborhood.
There is a community effort to buy land and create a buffer between the new industrial zone and critical Great Salt Lake wetlands.