Saratoga Springs council approves 15-unit Riverview townhomes, confirms planning commissioners and adopts pass-through rate changes

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a preliminary plat and site plan for the Riverview Townhomes development, confirmed two planning commission appointments and one additional appointment, and adopted updates to the city's consolidated fee schedule that reflect outside rate increases.

The council voted unanimously to approve the Riverview Townhomes preliminary plat and site plan, a project by applicant David Meredith that places three townhome buildings totaling 15 units at about 1022 North (or 1050 North, as referenced in materials) along the Jordan River and will require construction of Riverside Drive. Staff said the units range from about 1,300 to 2,610 square feet (not including garages), include second-floor decks and third-floor rooftop gardens facing the river, and will remove some trees along the riverbank with a required 2:1 replacement.

Why it matters: The project completes the housing phase of a larger mixed-use development that previously delivered a commercial phase on Redwood Road. Council members debated whether the architecture and orientation of some buildings meet the city's waterfront and gateway design goals and requested follow-up planning work to tighten standards.

City staff presented the Riverview package and said the site plan conforms to current mixed-use and waterfront buffer overlay standards; Councilman Macomber said those regulations are not producing the waterfront-facing architecture the council envisions. "I just am frustrated ... we're failing time and time again," Macomber said, urging staff and the council to revisit overlay and gateway standards. Councilwoman Barton praised the smaller unit sizes as potentially more affordable for younger residents and families.

Council questions and conditions focused on circulation and connectivity. Councilman Karn and others noted Riverside Drive is currently a dead-end; Karn said he would like the applicant to coordinate with neighboring property owners so the street eventually connects to the existing Riverside Drive to the north. The council recorded no additional conditions beyond the corrections staff noted (removal of an off-site drawing before plat recordation and standard code compliance items) and approved the project on a unanimous vote.

The council also considered two related personnel items. By unanimous vote, it approved Mayoral appointments Scott A. Hill and Colton Miles to four-year terms on the Planning Commission (Resolution R24-65). Separately, the council approved a three-year appointment for Chuck Kern to the Planning Commission (Resolution R24-68); that vote passed 4-0 with Councilman Karn recusing himself and the record noting Karn had kept an arms-length role in that candidate's interview process.

On finance and utilities, staff briefed the council on updates to the consolidated fee schedule reflecting rate increases imposed by outside providers. Staff said the Timpanogos Special Service District (TSSD) is raising sewer rates by $0.65 per 1,000 gallons and Bayview Landfill is raising refuse rates; staff described both changes as pass-through adjustments with no additional city charge. The council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution R24-67 to update the fee schedule to reflect those external rate increases.

Other items: The council recognized city recorder Nikki (presented by the Utah Municipal Clerks Association representatives) for completing the requirements for the Master Municipal Clerk designation and took a ceremonial oath of office for a new police officer, Darius Ford, who was presented a commission effective Nov. 25, 2024. Business Item 5 on the agenda was continued at the applicant's request to the next meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approval: Appointment of Scott A. Hill and Colton Miles to Planning Commission (Resolution R24-65). Vote: unanimous. - Approval: Appointment of Chuck Kern to Planning Commission (Resolution R24-68). Vote: 4-0 (Councilman Karn recused). - Approval: Consolidated fee schedule updates (Resolution R24-67) to reflect TSSD and Bayview Landfill rate increases. Vote: unanimous. - Approval: Riverview Townhomes preliminary plat and site plan (15 units, Riverside Drive). Vote: unanimous. - Action: Business Item 5 continued to next meeting at applicant's request. Vote to table: unanimous.

What happens next: Staff will record the Riverview plat after removing an off-site drawing as required, begin construction of Riverside Drive as shown in the approved plans and continue to work with the applicant on minor recordation items. Councilmembers asked staff to compile research on potential refinements to waterfront and gateway overlay standards for future code updates.

(Exact wording of motions and roll-call votes are recorded in the meeting minutes.)