Commission tables Olsen Orchard development‑agreement amendment after public safety, traffic and wetlands concerns
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Summary
After a public hearing on an Olsen Orchard development‑agreement amendment driven by a UDOT requirement to close a highway connection, the Perry City Planning Commission voted unanimously to table its recommendation until staff obtains engineering dimensions, a wetlands delineation and written fire‑marshal confirmation.
The Perry City Planning Commission opened a public hearing Thursday on an amendment to the Olsen Orchard development agreement after staff said UDOT will not accept the previously approved connection to Highway 89 and is requiring a closure of the existing connection and a realignment through the development.
Bob (city planner) said UDOT objected to the original Hargis Hill connection and required the developer to close that access and reroute traffic; as a result the developer removed one lot and added a stormwater pond. "UDOT said, we don't like this connection at all. We're requiring that it be closed off as part of this development," Bob said during his presentation (staff briefing).
Public commenters at the hearing urged the commission to consider safety and existing narrow road segments on 3600 South near storage units and KOA; Kendall Chambers (speaker 13) and others said 3600 South is a bottleneck that should be widened before additional homes rely on it for egress. Janine Jansen (speaker 11) raised concerns that access from the east side may be similarly narrow and that phase sequencing would force initial traffic onto 3600 South until phase 2 improvements occur. Roland Heinex (speaker 12) asked whether the drainage/stormwater changes would remove the pond; Bob clarified the stormwater pond replaces a removed lot and is not being eliminated.
Commissioners pressed staff about whether the developer would be required to finish both sides of the road, whether a turning lane at Highway 89 is feasible, and whether the city has written confirmation from the fire marshal regarding emergency egress. Staff said the developer will be required to improve the road along their frontage and meet a minimum 26 feet of travel width for fire code; widening the north side would require acquiring property from adjacent owners and could not be imposed without additional agreements. Staff recommended obtaining precise engineering dimensions, wetlands delineation, and written fire‑marshal confirmation before sending a recommendation to city council.
After extended discussion, Commissioner (speaker 7) moved to table item 2B to allow staff to obtain the additional right‑of‑way and engineering information necessary to make a reasoned recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner (speaker 3) and passed unanimously.
The commission recorded several requests for the record: a wetlands delineation of the conservation/open‑space area, written confirmation from the fire marshal on egress and turn radii, and specific roadway dimensioning to determine whether turn lanes or other highway improvements are feasible. Staff said the item will return after those studies are completed and the developer and engineers have had an opportunity to respond.