Planning commission recommends approval of Priority Builders rezone to RM‑8 with townhome restriction and creek protections

The Riverton Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Priority Builders rezone (PLZ-25-4004), changing the general plan designation to medium-high-density residential (5–8 dwelling units per acre) and rezoning the property to RM‑8 (multi-family residential, 8 units per acre), with two explicit additions: a requirement that the development be limited to townhomes through a special development (SD) condition, and a direction that any creek work meet or exceed 100-year storm capacity.

Staff presented the rezone and general-plan amendment for a parcel near 11800 South and Redwood Road that had earlier been noticed for RM‑14 but was amended by the applicant to RM‑8 before the hearing. The site sits adjacent to existing RM‑8 townhome development to the north and includes a portion with prior approvals or zoning histories, including a 2019 office-site approval that was never built.

Planning staff explained that RM‑8 permits attached or detached townhomes and condominiums as permitted uses and that conditional uses (nursing homes, medical clinics, public/quasi-public buildings) would require separate approvals. Staff also noted UDOT and Salt Lake County jurisdictional interests for road access and creek/flood control; the Salt Lake County-managed creek corridor (Midas Creek) may impose constraints on layout and engineering.

Applicant Scott Yarmish (Priority Builders/Newman Construction) described prior due diligence and said the team has conceptual engineering and the ability to pursue either a bridge, pipe crossings or tie-ins to existing storm infrastructure, depending on what the engineering and permitting process requires. He said the applicant prefers to avoid a direct entrance on 11800 South if feasible and will explore tying into the HOA/private access to the north or using a right-in/right-out on Redwood where UDOT allows.

Residents who live near the site raised traffic and safety concerns for Redwood Road and 11800 South, the effect of any change in detention or retention on downstream flood risk and flood insurance, and the potential loss of the area’s low-density character. Several residents requested the commission consider traffic, creek capacity and the number of vehicles generated at the rezone stage.

During commission discussion a motion to recommend approval was made that included wording requiring creek improvements to meet or exceed the 100-year standard. Commissioner Park offered a friendly amendment to add an SD limiting development to townhomes, consistent with adjacent development; the amendment was accepted. The commission voted unanimously to send the recommendation to city council. If the council approves the legislative change, the applicant will return later with a site plan and public notices (300-foot notice area) showing building layout, parking and detailed traffic/stormwater engineering.