Developers revise Oakley City Center plan, say Highway 32 convenience store and restaurant barn will be withdrawn

Developers of the Oakley City Center told the Oakley Planning Commission they have substantially redrawn their proposal and intend to withdraw earlier rezone applications for a convenience store on Highway 32 and for a restaurant barn as they focus attention on a new city‑center master plan.

The applicant said the revised plan moves the proposed gas station and convenience store to the northeast corner on Weber Canyon Road with “only 8 stalls,” reduces total parking for the north and south parcels to “well under 300” spaces, shifts apartment buildings away from Highway 32 to interior locations, and retains the post office and a food pantry and Amazon lockers in their previously identified parcel locations. “We’ve been back to the drawing board and ... we’ll be withdrawing our rezone applications for a convenience store across Highway 32,” the applicant said during the presentation.

Commissioners and attendees focused feedback on circulation, pedestrian access and infrastructure. Several commissioners warned that placing fueling and drive‑through activity off Highway 32 and on Weber Canyon Road could concentrate traffic on an intersection they described as hazardous. “That intersection is miserable,” a planning commission member said, noting poor sight lines, trailer and delivery movements, and frequent congestion during busy weekends. Staff and commissioners also pressed the applicant for clearer access approvals from state transportation officials; the plan relies on a new or modified access point that would require state approval.

Why it matters: the redesign alters the form and traffic patterns of the planned city center and affects nearby residences. Commissioners repeatedly urged more walkable connections between buildings, fewer surface parking areas facing Center Street, and building frontages that present to the main street rather than parking lots. One commissioner encouraged moving retail closer to Center Street with parking hidden behind storefronts; another suggested reconfiguring the plaza/“bench” area on the southern block to preserve a civic gathering space and to make the creamery and future Cattlemen’s Hall more accessible.

Key details from the discussion: - The applicant indicated the gas station would be moved onto Weber Canyon Road and limited to eight fuel stalls to reduce scale compared with previous proposals on Highway 32. - Parking for the combined north and south parcels was reduced to “well under 300” spaces, the applicant said; commissioners asked staff to confirm compliance with city code during formal submittal. - Apartments previously proposed along Highway 32 were relocated to interior edges to reduce building mass along the highway. - The post office location was described as constrained: staff said the current site “is literally 499 feet” from a reference point and cannot be moved farther back on the parcel without losing the facility’s required location. - Commissioners flagged sewer capacity and system age as a key dependency: city staff said infiltration and sump pumps are already stressing a sewer system built in the 1960s and engineers must confirm whether the existing plant can handle added flows.

No formal action was taken by the commission at the meeting; developers were seeking input prior to a formal amended master plan application. The applicant said it plans to return with an amended master plan for a planning commission recommendation in October and to hold an open house for the public (the applicant and staff said the open house was tentatively scheduled for Monday the 22nd, 6:00–8:30 p.m., with a confirmation to follow).

Next steps and contingencies: the applicant will revise drawings to reflect the commission’s and neighbors’ feedback, prepare an amended master plan application for the October planning commission meeting, and hold additional public outreach. Commission and staff follow‑up will include: (1) verification that the reduced parking meets city code; (2) engineering analysis of sewer and water capacity; and (3) confirmation of access arrangements with the state transportation agency. Commissioners also encouraged the applicant to study alternatives that place building frontages and plazas to emphasize walkability and to reduce drive‑through circulation through central pedestrian areas.

Community members and commissioners requested the applicant provide clearer phased buildout information at the next presentation, showing which elements the developer would build first and how infrastructure costs would be covered or phased.