A Dan Jones poll of 463 Heber Valley residents - commissioned by Heber City - reveals a solid majority would limit big-box stores within the city limits to 75,000 square feet. But the survey of 236 Heber City residents and 227 Wasatch County residents outside the city limits shows a smaller majority also would like to see the large retailers come to their community.

The City Council will hold a public hearing today at 7 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center, 465 E. 1200 South, on whether to adopt an ordinance approved by the Heber City Planning Commission last month to cap big-box stores.

Councilwoman Shari Lazenby said there is a good chance the council will find in the survey results reason to approve the 75,000-square-foot limit.

"I would say the majority of the public and the Planning Commission want a cap," Lazenby said. "They're saying, 'Don't destroy our quality of life.' "

But the poll also could provide motivation for city leaders to continue to study a so-called "overlay zone" that would allow big-box retailers more space with traffic and design mitigations.

"A cap is just to prevent anything from happening right now," Councilman John Burns said.

A Heber City moratorium on big-box constructions expires at midnight on June 15.

Burns said that, with more review, the Planning Commission also could forward a recommendation for a commercial zone allowing expansion of big boxes if strict requirements were met.

"But we have to have it airtight if we are to have control over what happens in our city," he said.

No big-box retailers have applied for a building permit. But leaders of the fast-growing community believe Heber City is ripe for such stores.

According to the survey, 45 percent strongly support a cap on the size of big-box stores. And 15 percent probably would support a cap, for a total of 60 percent.

But the Dan Jones poll also reveals that a smaller majority favor big-box retail in Heber. The survey shows that 34 percent definitely support big-box development, while 18 percent probably support it. That equates to 52 percent in favor to 44 percent who strongly or probably don't want big boxes at all.

Lazenby notes that there may be contradictory information in the poll. She urged Heber City residents to make their voices heard at today's public hearing.

"If residents have an opinion, this is the time to step up," she said. "We need to hear from everyone."

csmart@sltrib.com

Hearing today

The Heber City Council will hold a public hearing on limiting the size of big-box retail stores today at 7 p.m. in the town's Senior Citizens Center, 465 E. 1200 South.

* Should there be a cap on the size of retail stores in Heber City?

Definitely should cap size: 45 percent.

Probably should cap size: 15 percent.

Probably allow all sizes: 12 percent.

Definitely allow all sizes: 25 percent.

* Do you support or oppose development of big-box retail stores?

Definitely support: 34 percent.

Probably support: 18 percent.

Probably oppose: 10 percent.

Definitely oppose: 34 percent.