Commission forwards positive recommendations for Valley Grove Business Park subdivision and three retail site plans

The Pleasant Grove Planning Commission on May 22 voted to forward positive recommendations to the city council for Saint John Properties’ Valley Grove Business Park Plat R (a four‑lot preliminary commercial subdivision) and for commercial site plans for three retail buildings labeled P, Q and R in the Grove Interchange Subdistrict.

Planner Jacob Hawkins described the proposal as a four‑lot plat with three immediate buildable parcels and one future lot. He said the three site plan parcels measure approximately 1.462 acres (Building P), 1.09 acres (Building Q), and 1.446 acres (Building R). Hawkins told the commission that retail uses in the Grove Interchange Subdistrict generally require one parking space per 200 square feet of gross floor area; the applicant provided square footage estimates to calculate required parking.

Hawkins reported that Retail P has about 18,700 square feet of interior floor area (requiring about 94 parking spaces under the city ratio) and Retail Q and Retail R are roughly 9,500 square feet each (about 48 spaces each). He said the applicant provided on‑site parking plus shared parking agreements that together meet the requirement: "In total, 88 parking spaces are required, and that is what's being provided," Hawkins said. He also noted the project exceeds the Grove Interchange Subdistrict minimum open space requirement (projectwide minimum 10%) by providing about 23.8% open space (approximately 41,480 square feet).

Hawkins said the design review board reviewed the site plans on May 19, 2025, and recommended approval. He described permitted and limited building materials under the Grove code and said the proposed elevations keep accent/secondary materials below the 49% limit; buildings are approximately 28 feet tall (the zone allows up to 65 feet).

The planner also reviewed a zoning limit on fast‑food/drive‑through restaurants in the project area (no more than one fast‑food outlet per 10 acres within the total project area). Hawkins estimated the overall project area used for that calculation is about 25 acres and explained how many fast‑food uses would be permitted under that standard.

Marty Beaumont of Saint John Properties, the applicant, addressed truck turning radii, driveway alignments, enhanced landscaping and materials, and a prospective tenant marketing update. He said the developer hopes to begin construction in July and to have buildings complete by early next spring. Beaumont noted some design differences among the pads intended to support a range of retail or restaurant users.

Commissioner Martineau moved and Commissioner Nelson seconded motions to approve the subdivision plat and to forward positive recommendations on the three site plans. The commission took a voice vote and the motions carried.

The commission’s approvals and positive recommendations are for the preliminary subdivision and for forwarding the site plans to the city council and other final reviewers; final planning, engineering and fire‑department requirements must be met before permits or building activity proceed.