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Neighbors oppose rezoning of two Center Street lots; commission recommends neighborhood‑commercial designation
Summary
After extensive public comment from neighbors concerned about traffic, historic preservation and parking, the planning commission voted to recommend changing 9 and 15 North Center Street from RM‑15 (multi‑residential) to CN (neighborhood commercial).
The Grantsville Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning that would change 9 and 15 North Center Street from RM‑15 (multiple‑residential) to CN (neighborhood commercial), following a lengthy public hearing in which many nearby residents urged the commission to preserve the street’s residential character.
At the public hearing residents described Center Street as a long‑standing, tightly knit neighborhood with children walking to the elementary school and frequent community events. Multiple speakers pointed to a nearby historic home at 5 North Center Street, built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and said commercial encroachment would harm that property’s setting and the street’s character. Maria Wegworth opened public comment by stressing the family‑oriented nature of the street; other residents warned of parking loss if sidewalks are added and said Main Street already contains vacant commercial buildings better suited for business growth.
Owner Barry Gunderson, who asked the commission to consider the rezone, told the commission he had no contracts or buyers and that he had discussed the property with the mayor and staff prior to acquiring it. Gunderson said the property has historically been shown as commercial on older maps and that market interest could emerge, but he emphasized he had no binding offers.
City attorney Tyson Barker addressed the commission and clarified legal standards for a rezone, saying the action is legislative: “It should take into the totality of the circumstances, the surrounding uses, whether it's compatible with existing uses, and the historical use for the area.” Barker reminded commissioners that any recommendation should be supported by written findings of fact.
After deliberation—where commissioners weighed the general plan’s intent for commercial corridors against neighbors’ concerns—the commission voted to recommend the CN designation. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for a final decision and for preparation of the required written findings of fact.
Residents asked that the council consider traffic impacts, sidewalk and parking plans, and protections for the adjacent historic home when the council reviews the case.
