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West Valley City reviews two 'what-if' station-area scenarios for three light-rail stations
Summary
City planners and consultants presented two scenario tracks for Decker Lake, Redwood Junction and River Trail station areas: a lower-intensity, context‑sensitive option and a higher‑intensity alternative that could add up to ~1,500 housing units in one scenario. Council was asked for feedback ahead of a public open house and formal adoption required by year-end.
West Valley City Council members heard a detailed update March 11 from Community Development Director Steve Pastrick and consultants on state-required station-area plans for three Green Line stations: Decker Lake, Redwood Junction and River Trail.
Pastrick and Christian Snellgrove of WSP said the work responds to HB462 and is required to address housing, environmental sustainability, access to opportunity and transportation choices for the half‑mile around each station. The city assembled a consultant team (WSP, MHTN Architects and Leland Consulting Group) and a steering committee that included city staff, developers and community members to produce two scenario tracks for each station area.
The scenarios fall into two broad types: Scenario 1 is lower‑impact and more aligned with existing neighborhood character; Scenario 2 envisions higher density and greater investment. Snellgrove said, “These scenarios … are not final,” and emphasized they are intended to frame choices, not impose fixed outcomes.
Consultants walked the council through site‑specific differences. At River Trail, Scenario 1 focuses on small‑lot single‑family infill while Scenario 2 shifts additional housing closer to the station platform and Redwood Trailhead Park. The team noted potential transportation improvements including street‑grid connections, new bike‑ped facilities along 2320 South and the long‑term possibility of a vehicular bridge across the Jordan River, but warned of Army Corps permitting and ownership constraints.
At Redwood Junction, the consultants estimated the station area could accommodate roughly 500–550 new housing units under Scenario 1 and up to about 1,500 units under Scenario 2; the consultants said those estimates reflect total capacity across the station-area alternatives rather than a single parcel. David Fisk of Leland Consulting characterized Scenario 1 as more townhome‑oriented with flex industrial/office on portions of the site and Scenario 2 as more multifamily and higher density.
Decker Lake and the Maverik Center site drew particular attention. Consultants said Scenario 1 preserves more surface parking and commercial frontage near the Maverik Center, while Scenario 2 envisions more intensive mixed‑use development with structured parking to meet contractual parking obligations for the venue. The consultants recommended a potential follow‑up master planning process to coordinate property owners, design, access and funding for an entertainment district vision.
Council members pressed for details about unit dispersal among the three station areas, the timeline and how retail needs (including the potential for grocery‑sized retail) would be evaluated. Consultants said zoning changes to implement whichever scenario is adopted would follow plan certification; the Wasatch Front Regional Council must certify the plans before state submission. Pastrick said the plans must be adopted by the end of the year and indicated staff will return with more detail; an open house and public engagement were scheduled for later in March.
Next steps: staff will incorporate council feedback, public comments gathered at the open house and planning commission input into revised scenarios, then seek certification and formal adoption ahead of the state deadline.
