Clock is ticking for River Heights - expand or die

By Camille Blake

December 13, 2004 | River Heights is not a city known for its commercial businesses. So how has this city been able to stay afloat for so long?

"People are thinking River Heights has no money, which is not true," Commissioner Gladys Ann Atwood said about the recent publication of next year's budget.

River Heights has gotten by with mostly residential taxes and a few businesses run out of resident's homes. Over its long history in this valley, River Heights has only raised its taxes a few times, Mayor Jensen said.

Currently the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council are working on annexing some property off of 800 South and 100 East. The property is owned by the Neiderhauser brothers. River Heights would zone the property for commercial use and put a grocery store there, or hopefuls would want a Target, Atwood said. There is approximately 11 acres of land. The problem is the property is in Logan City boundaries.

Commissioner Mike Rickson has been working with Gary Neiderhauser, the oldest brother. Rickson reported to the commission that Neiderhauser wants to annex into River Heights because of qualms he has with Logan City.

"They are jerking us around and we don't need that," Rickson quoted Neiderhauser.

Rickson said the Neiderhausers are looking to sell the property at the end of January or beginning of February. The problem with selling the property would be the developers wouldn't have anything against Logan, so River Heights would need to persuade them to annex into River Heights.

"Our only choice is to move on it right away," Rickson said.

Commissioner Blake Wright said he wasn't concerned with getting Neiderhauser convinced of annexing, it would be the future developers. Wright emphasized getting the process started and then letting the future developers know that River Heights would be there for them every step of the way through the annexation process. Wright said he would want Neiderhauser to know every step of annexing into River Heights, the good and the bad parts, so he know exactly what to expect.

River Heights does not have an ordinance about annexing property from another city, Atwood said. She said that before they could annex the property from Logan, they would have to add or revise the city's ordinance on annexation.

"De-annexing from Logan is going to be a long and bitter battle," Commissioner Carolyn Bently said. "Logan will fight tooth and nail to keep [that land]."

Bently said River Heights has a better sewer system to offer the future developers. The only thing would be getting water down to the property. Atwood said the city can offer lower taxes than Logan.

"We need to show them we are easy to work with. We are cooperative and approachable," Wright said. "[The city] can get things done faster for them then Logan could."

If River Heights doesn't get the Neiderhauser property to commercialize they may not be around in 10 years, Atwood said. River Heights needs this land in order to survive. A possible outcome for River Heights, if the land is not annexed, is becoming part of Logan or Providence.

Neiderhauser knows how much River Heights needs this land and he may be able to convince the future developers into annexing, Rickson said.

While River Heights may still be a long way from having commercial businesses in their city, they remain hopeful about pulling through.

NW MK