Oct. 14--FARMINGTON -- City councilors, in a 3-1 vote, approved a resolution that calls for the city to encourage redevelopment of downtown and areas around the Farmington Civic Center and Animas River.

Approval of the resolution at Tuesday night's City Council meeting comes after the city formed the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Commission consisting of locals' hired companies to form redevelopment plans and conduct public meetings.

Plans developed by companies suggest that the city attract more businesses and people to live downtown and in the surrounding areas, and to improve the areas through various projects.

The city will use plans formed by Albuquerque planning firm Sites Southwest and Smithfield, Utah, economic development firm Strategy 5 to guide redevelopment.

The city should build another whitewater park in the Animas River, a hotel next to the Farmington Civic Center and housing near San Juan Regional Medical Center, along with other projects and buildings, according to plans developed by the companies.

Redevelopment will eliminate and prevent slums and blight, the resolution says.

Councilwoman Mary Fischer cast the only vote against the resolution, saying the plan required too much government involvement.

"That's more appropriate for the private sector than government," Fischer said.

Councilman George Sharpe said he didn't think the plans require a "terribly significant" amount of funding from the city.

"It's primarily focused on

facilitating the rejuvenation of downtown."

The plans serve to entice the private sector to invest in redevelopment, City Manager Rob Mayes said. The resolution does not require councilors to budget money for redevelopment.

Resolution passes

A resolution from the city of Farmington that supports Arizona Public Service Co., which is facing increased federal regulations, was passed Tuesday night.

Councilors, in another 3-1 vote, approved the resolution introduced by Councilman George Sharpe that urges the Environmental Protection Agency to balance the need for air visibility with the need to preserve businesses that contribute to the area.

"The city would be very concerned about the EPA adopting regulations that would be so costly that they would make the continued operation of all or a portion of the (Four Corners Power Plant) no longer economically feasible," the resolution says.

EPA contends Four Corners Power Plant hinders air visibility at 16 protected places within a 300-kilometer radius, including the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park and Mesa Verde.