Layton buys 4.5 acres near Eastridge Nature Park for $347,160 to add trailhead parking

The purchase

Layton will buy about 4.5 acres near Eastridge Nature Park for $347,160 to add trailhead parking and extend its trail network. The City Council approved Resolution 26-44, a land purchase agreement with property owner Coltan Eastman for the parcel at about 1337 East 1700 North, by unanimous voice vote on Nov. 5. ^[1][3]

The council had tabled the same agreement at its Oct. 15 meeting for further discussion. This time it passed as a consent item along with Resolution 26-46, which filled seats on the city's Recreation, Arts, Museum and Parks (RAMP) Commission. ^[1][2]

Price and appraisal

City staff told the council a licensed appraiser valued the agriculture-zoned parcel at $315,600, while the Davis County tax estimate put it at $423,501. Staff said the land has a history of unstable soils and cannot be developed for homes, and the owner agreed to the negotiated price. That price is $31,560 above the appraisal and $76,341 below the county estimate. ^[1]

The agreement lets the owner install a monument or other recognition honoring CJ Eastman Jr., the owner's son, on the property at the owner's expense, subject to city review and approval. ^[1]

Trail plans

Staff said the land will allow a new trailhead parking lot off Emerald Drive and help connect the existing Kays Creek Trail, built as part of the East Ridge PRUD development, to the planned Midfork Trail to the east. Concept plans shown to the council have trails on both sides of the creek, one a soft path and one asphalt. Staff said the alignments are conceptual and not yet fully defined. ^[1]

Council member Clint Morris asked staff to explain the dashed trail lines on the map. ^[1]

Under Resolution 26-46, the council reappointed Maria Odel and appointed David Alexander and Melanie Jacobson, as an alternate, to the RAMP Commission, with terms ending Sept. 30, 2028. The commission awards grants for recreation, arts, museum and park projects. ^[2][3]