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Residents press council on rezoning, short-term rentals and school closures; CentiWave praised
Summary
During public comment at the May 20 meeting residents opposed a proposed rezoning (ZMA-25002), urged enforcement of developer concessions, called for licensing of short-term rentals, warned about school closures tied to declining enrollment, and praised a new CentiWave internet option.
Several residents used the council’s public comment period Tuesday to press elected officials on land use, housing and local services.
Cynthia Blair opposed ZMA-25002, the rezoning request for property at 3526 E. Forest (Fort Union Boulevard). She said neighbors previously defeated a rezoning three years ago, presented a petition she said had nearly 90 signatures and asked that any concessions the developer offered — including a 25-foot setback on the unit nearest her property, rear driveways and an HOA — be enforceable. "If there is some kind of way that he can be held to these promises, we would feel a lot more comfortable," Blair said.
State Representative Galen Benyon urged the council to pilot a licensing regime for short-term rentals and to use data vendors to identify existing short-term rentals. "The displacement is already happening," Benyon said, and he recommended licensing standards (education, a nearby local agent and revocable city licenses) that could reduce nuisance properties.
John Owens warned that Canyon School District’s consolidation review — which lists a number of elementary schools under consideration — could accelerate a loss of families and housing in the city. "We're gonna lose housing. We're gonna lose families," he said, and he tied the concern to short-term rentals and demographic trends.
Runar Bowman praised CentiWave’s recent buildout on his street, saying the connection is "rock solid" and noting a $65-per-month price point. Mayor Mike Quickers said CentiWave is pacing its rollout while applying for grants to subsidize broader buildout.
Other public comments raised safety and quality-of-life concerns: residents described Wasatch Boulevard congestion when canyon routes close in winter, urged restrictions on roadside parking and asked the council to evaluate traffic calming for Fort Union and Wasatch.
The city accepted two online submissions on Wasatch traffic and land-use applications and closed the public comment period before moving to public hearings.
