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Midway council approves preliminary approval for South Hill Phase 3 with conditions; traffic and walls remain points of debate
Summary
The Midway City Council granted preliminary and conditional-use approvals for the South Hill mixed-use development Phase 3, placing conditions on water dedication, trail construction, driveway access agreements and pergola sizes after extended discussion about traffic impacts and neighborhood buffers.
The Midway City Council on a unanimous vote granted preliminary and conditional-use approval for the South Hill mixed-use development Phase 3, approving staff findings and conditions while adding requirements on irrigation water, driveway access agreements and design limits for rear trellises and pergolas.
The council’s action requires the developer to resolve irrigation rights with Midway Irrigation Company (staff noted 41 acre-feet is required for Phase 3), design and construct a trail connection to the lower road on Memorial Hill subject to Wasatch County approval, show dumpster locations on final plans, secure documentation addressing driveway spacing on River Road, and obtain written proof from the major irrigation entity to permit rerouting of the ditch that crosses Phase 3.
The decision followed extended debate over traffic impacts on River Road and whether a center turn lane should be required. Council members and staff repeatedly cited the traffic impact study’s finding that a southbound left-turn lane was not required. Council members pressed staff and the developer about the practical effect of cars queued while waiting to turn left near a blind corner and utility poles; staff and the project engineer said the model showed the level of service would remain acceptable. Council discussion noted that adjacent locations have right- or deceleration-turn lanes but that adding a center turn lane at the River Road location would be physically tight and could encroach on landscaping or private property.
Developer representatives committed to design work intended to reduce visual impacts, including sunken garage-access parking and landscaping along the western boundary from the Phase 2 parking lot to the neighboring Hewlett property. Council members and neighborhood representatives debated whether a berm or a masonry wall should be used; the council left the final determination to be resolved with property owners and the developer. The council did place limits on rear trellis/pergola structures facing the park: the preliminary direction recorded during the motion set a maximum depth of 10 feet from the building and a maximum overall height guideline discussed at 11 feet to allow design flexibility; the council directed that final specifics be settled at final approval.
Council members also required the developer to provide either (a) a signed agreement with the owner of parcel OMI 0418 acknowledging the existing driveway will be abandoned or (b) move the proposed private road at least 40 feet from the existing driveway to comply with the city’s driveway spacing requirement. Staff reiterated that dumpster enclosures and final landscaping will be included on subsequent plan submittals before a business license or final plat recording.
Mayor and council recorded their votes in open session. The motion to approve preliminary and conditional-use approvals and the additional conditions passed with council members Lisa, JC, Jeff, Kevin and Craig recorded voting in favor.
Next steps for the applicant include addressing the conditions noted by staff and recording any required plat or access agreements before final approvals are issued.
