Planning commission approves 93‑unit Willow Street townhome PUD with off‑site improvements

The Grantsville Planning Commission on March 5 approved a planned unit development (PUD) application for a 93‑unit townhome project at approximately 132 South Willow Street, contingent on several off‑site infrastructure improvements and an easement for a water connection.

The project, first submitted in February 2022, was approved after staff and applicant representatives described measures to mitigate traffic, sewer and water deficiencies in the Willow Street corridor. The commission’s vote followed a motion to approve the preliminary PUD application with conditions; the motion passed on an aye vote.

Staff member Shay told the commission the application must be evaluated under the code in effect when it was submitted. “The language in this case is 7 dwelling units per acre,” Shay said, noting the RM‑7 zoning standard from the 2022 code and explaining the city must interpret plain language in favor of the applicant where the code is not explicit. Shay also reviewed the PUD submittal requirements, citing the preliminary application standards and required written statements addressing conditional‑use standards (chapter 7.8) and the PUD application rules (section 12.42).

Shay and applicant representatives described the off‑site work the developer agreed to do to address public‑safety and utility concerns. Those commitments include repairing several spots on the existing sewer line to improve flow capacity, installing an 8‑inch water main along the project frontage and tying the project into a larger loop to improve pressure for nearby properties, and constructing a sidewalk along the project frontage and extending pedestrian improvements to Durfee Street.

Representatives said the applicant has secured an agreement in principle for an easement across neighboring property owned by Mike Warner that would allow the 8‑inch water connection; the commission required obtaining that easement before final approval. The project team also said they would make repairs at sewer locations off the project frontage and contribute to pavement improvements where needed.

Applicant speakers described the site layout as townhome units with two‑car garages, internal guest parking and community amenities maintained by a homeowners association. Todd Castano, an applicant representative, said the project is planned as an HOA‑maintained townhome development so exterior maintenance remains consistent across units. The applicants also removed three units from an original plan to increase parking and now propose 93 units.

Commission members pressed for traffic and pedestrian safety measures on Willow Street, a narrow corridor near an elementary school. Shay noted the city must apply established legal tests for developer exactions; she cited the Nollan/Dolan proportionality standard for off‑site requirements and said the city can require off‑site improvements roughly proportional to the development’s impacts. Staff recommended, and the applicant agreed, to improve the frontage pavement where possible and extend sidewalks to Durfee Street. Staff also suggested reducing internal neighborhood speed limits to improve site visibility and pedestrian safety.

Motion language and conditions: the commission’s motion approved the preliminary PUD with the conditions that the developer repair and install off‑site sewer lines as shown in the submitted plans; secure the Mike Warner easement for the water line connection prior to final approval; and extend sidewalks south of the development to Durfee Street.

The approval is for the PUD preliminary phase only; the developer must still complete final plat requirements, secure required easements, complete engineering (including the sewer and water work), and satisfy any additional conditions, permits and impact fees before building permits may be issued.

Speakers and public discussion focused on infrastructure capacity, parking counts, internal circulation and HOA maintenance of common areas. Shay emphasized that some newer multi‑unit provisions adopted by the city after the applicant submitted its materials (chapter 4.3, multi‑unit housing) did not apply retroactively to this application, and that the preliminary PUD submittal was considered under the RM‑7 rules in effect at the time of application.

The commission’s approval advances the project to later review stages but leaves technical engineering and final plat conditions to staff review and subsequent formal approvals.