One of the best indicators of city growth is development. Eagle Mountain has seen an increase in growth over the last 6 years. Since 2006 the city has issued a total of 6618 building permits. The Eagle Mountain building department has also been busy doing over 27,000 inspections since 2010.
Stephanie Gricius, a member of the Eagle Mountain City Council, discusses this growth. Stephanie feels that, “We’ve been running as fast as our feet will carry us for years but now we’re to the point of reevaluating our options as our infrastructure, mainly transportation, is approaching capacity.”
The issuing of permits for building and the development itself helps the city in several ways. Development requires workers. Those workers need to travel to the construction site, and spend time in Eagle Mountain to complete the development. These workers then see what Eagle Mountain has to offer them, as well as have the opportunity to partake of the services the City offers. Development also increases the cities population. Those new residents pay property tax, and sales tax, which in turn also helps the city provide infrastructure, and amenities.
Eagle Mountain has seen a huge increase in growth from 2015 to 2016. In 2016 the number of building permits increased by half the number issued the previous year, including a 100% increase in commercial permits.
The city has also seen a large amount of growth over the last few years in the number of inspections the building department has completed.
But growth can also cause growing pains for the city. If the infrastructure cannot keep up with the growth, it can cause friction between the residents, developers and the city. The city is constantly playing a balancing act to keep the infrastructure in step with the residential and commercial growth.
Colby Curtis, a member of Eagle Mountains City Council, discusses the growth issue. “If you’re going to have difficult issues to deal with in a city, I can’t think of a better one than growth. We are thriving and that’s wonderful. It means Eagle Mountain is a great place to live and on a good path. That path also creates unique issues that have to be addressed. Working to keep up on roads, staffing, and quality of service all come into play. Currently, Eagle Mountain has a handle on this, though as we move into the future, I perceive one of two things must happen: we either have to scale up government operations to meet this demand and ride the growth, or make specific policy decisions designed to soften the boom. While either option has its downsides, both must be considered.”
Note: Data Supplied to Cedar Valley Sentinel (formerly i84005) by the City of Eagle Mountain via GRAMA request. Cedar Valley Sentinel (formerly i84005) thanks the city for supplying the data to us to share with residents.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.