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Council approves River Run Griffith zone change and preliminary‑plat amendment, staff to resolve intersection and drainage concerns
Summary
Council approved a zone change and preliminary plan amendment for the River Run Griffith addition and instructed staff to work with adjacent property owners on intersection alignment and drainage; public commenters raised longstanding access and seepage‑drainage water‑rights concerns.
The Spanish Fork City Council on March 18 approved a zone change and preliminary plat amendment to add the Griffith parcel into the River Run subdivision, allowing 57 additional units and extending Volunteer Drive to River Bottoms Road.
Staff said the parcel north of Volunteer Drive was previously designated for higher‑density residential use under the general plan; the requested zone change aligns that acreage with the existing River Run R‑3/Master Plan Development overlay. The council's motions to approve the zone change and the preliminary plat amendment passed by roll call vote.
At public hearing, nearby landowners raised safety and access concerns about the Volunteer Drive/River Bottoms Road intersection and the potential impact on a historical seepage drainage (referred to in the meeting as the Mosquito Seepage Drainage) that drains to Westfield Irrigation Company. Diane Garcia, a bordering property owner, said she learned only at the planning commission hearing that Bradford Lane might be cut off and asked staff to preserve her century‑old access and shoulder space for farm equipment. Garcia and staff later discussed options for improving her gate access and shoulder so equipment can pull off the roadway.
Staff and engineering said the intersection design shown at the hearing is a conceptual interim design intended to function as a four‑way stop with realigned approaches; detailed traffic engineering and final design remain to be completed. Staff told the council they will work with property owners, county road authorities (some adjacent parcels remain in unincorporated Utah County), and the applicant to refine the turning lane and final design at the crossing. Staff also said storm drainage and irrigation infrastructure will be addressed at final plat engineering, and added that any irrigation water rights serving the seepage/drain must continue to be delivered.
Council approved the River Run Griffith zone change and the preliminary plan amendment with conditions that the applicant meet city development standards, address red‑line comments and meet any prior approvals and agreements. Councilmembers praised staff outreach and asked that communications with affected landowners continue as final design work proceeds.
