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Council approves MXDR rezone and development plan for 2122 Orchard Drive with conditions
Summary
After review and public discussion, the council approved a rezone to a mixed-use residential zone and a development plan for 2122 Orchard Drive that retains several existing multifamily units, adds new multifamily buildings, limits rear buildings to two stories, and requires conditions on parking and site amenities.
The Bountiful City Council approved a rezone and development plan for 2122 Orchard Drive, authorizing a change to MXDR (mixed-use residential) and adopting the submitted development plan as the zoning standard for the site.
Amber Corbridge, planning staff, told the council the application proposes to retain four existing multifamily structures, add two new multifamily buildings and a mixed-use element along Orchard Drive. Staff said the site is under five acres, sits along a major transit corridor and is consistent with the city’s general plan goal to add moderate-density housing and mixed-use development along Orchard Drive.
Corbridge said the development plan will act as the regulatory code for the site; any deviations from the submitted plan will require additional approvals. Staff recommended conditions to improve on-site amenities and to ensure long-term compatibility with nearby residential lots: the planning staff recommended adding benches or seating to the plaza areas and combining two parcels so landscaping will be maintained by the development.
Council members asked about height, visibility and phasing. Corbridge said the code’s default height limit is 35 feet; the planning commission recommended limiting two rear residential buildings (described in the materials as Buildings D and the garden-style building) to two stories to preserve neighbors’ privacy. Developer representatives said most units on Orchard Drive will be rental and that the rear garden-style units are being preserved to maintain affordability; they said some units in the rear may be offered under a lease-to-own approach in the future. Brian Knowlton and Randy Byer, representing the project, told the council they bought the property to preserve the existing 16 garden-style units and add mixed-use housing aimed at affordability.
Planning staff said the Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation; in Corbridge’s presentation she cited a 5–0 recommendation by the commission, and council discussion later referenced the commission debate and vote details. The Planning Commission also recommended a phasing approach that would build the rear residential buildings first to minimize construction impacts on residents; staff noted the development plan will control future site-plan review and that the front buildings facing Orchard Drive are to meet the facade and height limits described in the plan.
A council member moved to approve the rezone and development plan with staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and passed with no recorded opposition.
Council members and the developers emphasized that the plan aims to preserve existing affordable units while adding additional housing close to transit corridors. Planning staff will enforce the development-plan conditions during site-plan review and phasing.
