A proposal to build a Hampton Inn at 942 South Highway Drive that would exceed Fenton's 50-foot height limit was postponed for further committee review after extended discussion during the Board of Aldermen meeting.

Several aldermen said they were troubled by the requested waiver and worried about a slippery slope if waivers became common. Alderman (speaker 5) said, “the issue that I have is the height of the building that is being proposed,” and described visual impacts for residents leaving the nearby Utah Valley subdivision. Planning staff (Amy) explained the city's 50-foot limit and the shift to handle excess height under site-plan review rather than special-use permits; she said the taller designs are often driven by the hotel brand's standards.

Brad Pryor, representing the applicant, told the board the architect had corrected site-plan issues identified by Planning & Zoning and that the brand's design options include higher, narrower footprints when lot dimensions and parking setbacks prevent a wider, shorter building. Pryor said the site plan "has been corrected with the issues that were discovered or discussed at planning and zoning." He and the applicant signaled willingness to accept more review time.

The city attorney advised the board that height waivers are judged case-by-case by considering the character of the area and the waiver's effects on neighboring properties; he noted a waiver process exists and could be revisited if the board is uneasy about frequent waivers. Several aldermen suggested the matter be returned to committee so that all members could participate. A motion to continue both the special-use permit and the site plan to the committee passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the special-use permit (Case 2024SUP-14) and the related site plan (Case 2024SPR05) will be discussed again at the committee level before the Board of Aldermen considers a final vote.