Riverton City Council on a 3-2 vote denied a proposal to amend the general plan and rezone a roughly 0.096-acre parcel at 3516 West 12600 South from R-1 (one-acre lots) to Commercial Gateway, leaving the property’s R-1 zoning intact.

The council’s denial motion, moved by Council member McDougall and seconded by Council member Tish Broker, carried after a roll-call vote. Council members Tish Broker, Stewart McDougall and Council member Hammond voted to deny the rezone; Council members Perucci and McKay voted against denial. The motion was recorded as a denial of Ordinance 25-03.

The planning commission had forwarded the application with a recommendation for denial, and dozens of residents attended the council meeting to oppose the change, citing the neighborhood’s long-standing single-family character and concerns about traffic, lighting and property values.

Multiple residents addressed the council during the public hearing. Marvin Hagen, whose family owns a business on 126 South, told the council, “The last time that road got developed, we almost went out of business. I’m just afraid to have more development there and more work on the road.” Resident Troy Anderson read a statement asking the council to “deny this proposed zoning change” and said, “We are here tonight to voice our opposition.” Christie Gardner, who said she lives on 118th South near the parcel, urged the council to consider traffic calming for nearby streets and noted safety concerns for children.

Applicant representatives said the use proposed was a small-business operation. Rob Freeman, who identified himself as the owner of First Choice Senior (the owner of the parcel), told the council the plan was to “put our business there” and use the house as an office and a modest shop area, and that he did not expect heavy traffic or frequent deliveries. Contractor/applicant Daniel Pala (recorded in the hearing) said the aim was “a nice aesthetically pleasing property” and emphasized a preference for a modest pole-barn-type shop rather than a large commercial complex.

Council members discussed competing priorities: protecting established neighborhood character versus property owners’ rights and the fact that 126 South carries heavy traffic and is designated as a major corridor in regional plans. Several council members noted that the city will conduct a general plan update later in the year and that corridors such as 126 South are under review; others argued that spot rezoning undercuts the predictability of the city’s land-use framework.

Because of the zoning change sought, staff noted that a commercial designation would trigger code requirements such as a solid masonry fence facing adjacent residences and restrictions on lighting to avoid shining on homes; staff also noted that planning approvals and site-plan review would follow any zoning change.

Outcome and next steps: Ordinance 25-03 was denied; the parcel remains zoned R-1. Council members and staff said the parcel and nearby corridor will be part of a forthcoming general-plan review and encouraged residents to participate in that process.