Council tables Blue Heron Crossing amendment after residents urge preserving Highway 1100 commercial zoning

The Brigham City Council on Sept. 4 voted to table an amendment to the Blue Heron Crossing final plat that would allow townhome lots to be recorded in a parcel north of the planned commercial corridor. The council's tabled action requires that the subdivision's final plat be recorded before the amendment proceeds.

Several residents spoke during public comment urging the council to preserve Highway 1100 South for commercial development and to avoid placing residential townhomes directly adjacent to the highway. "I would hope that if this Blue Heron project doesn't come in, that you would relook at the zoning that's on that property," said Tom Peterson, a Brigham City resident, adding that the area had been shown for highway commercial in earlier master plans. "We should never allow residential within 1,000 yards of 1,100 south."

Mark Bradley, who presented the application, said the amendment would allow townhome ownership in a portion of the planned district. Bradley described the project as part of the 1100 South/1100 West planned district and said it originally proposed multifamily apartments; the applicant later asked to plat townhomes instead and proposed 102 townhome units and 12 commercial spaces beneath units on the east end. The Planning Commission recommended approval on Aug. 19 subject to staff comments, landscaping and fencing plans to be submitted for review.

Applicant Amy Johnson told the council the developers are trying to coordinate signatures that must be in person and asked the council to allow the plat amendment to proceed concurrently to avoid recording delays.

Councilmember Jensen moved to table the amendment until the final plat has been recorded; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. The council asked staff to provide additional information on safety and traffic on 1100 South and to return with details, including any involvement from the Utah Department of Transportation and public-works analysis.

Why it matters: residents said the parcel near 1100 South represents the city's best opportunity for highway-oriented commercial development, which they said would generate sales and property tax revenue. Council members voiced safety concerns about adding townhomes adjacent to a busy arterial and asked staff for additional traffic and safety analysis before proceeding.

Next steps: staff will provide the council with requested traffic and safety information and additional project documentation; the amendment will be reconsidered only after the final plat is recorded and staff follow-up is complete.