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Council backs concept of median and shared signage for proposed 222‑unit townhome project behind state offices
Summary
Taylorsville City Council discussed a rezone and SSD text amendment for three parcels behind the state office complex that would allow about 222 townhome units on roughly 13 acres; council gave direction supporting the applicant's median and shared‑signage concepts and asked staff to return with final documents on Dec. 17.
City planning staff and the applicant presented a concept for a 13‑acre residential redevelopment behind the state office complex in Taylorsville that would convert three parcels (addresses identified in the staff presentation) to a multifamily/townhome development under a proposed SSD zoning text amendment.
Planning staff explained the project triggers the SSD process because it proposes multifamily development on more than 5 acres; the concept plan shows roughly 222 townhome units (one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units) representing an increase in townhome supply for Taylorsville. The applicant and staff said the project density is about 16–17 units per acre, slightly above the city’s current highest residential density. Staff reported the proposal has already had two planning commission hearings and was forwarded with conditions addressing drainage, open space calculations, a traffic study and signage, and noted the remaining outstanding item of concern is whether to allow a median in the public right‑of‑way at the development entrance.
The discussion focused on two design questions: a landscaped/rockscape median with lighting in the center of the new public street, and a plan for shared monument signage to identify both the existing office development and the new residential development from 2700 West. Staff advised caution about installing a median in a public right‑of‑way because of long‑term maintenance and snowplow/repaving impacts and said that if the council prefers a median the travel lane widths must be increased (20 feet each side) to provide emergency access. The applicant’s representative (an owner with DAI) said the median would provide safety benefits and a sense of arrival, would be constructed with low‑maintenance materials, and that the development team is prepared to mitigate curb/sloping details to reduce snowplow damage. The applicant further said the project would be higher‑tier rental product and presented rent‑comparison figures for nearby units.
Councilmembers expressed general support for the median concept and the shared signage approach, while acknowledging maintenance concerns. Several members asked staff and the applicant to finalize detailed site dimensions and maintenance commitments and to include the preferred approach in the SSD and development agreement. Staff was directed to return the general plan map amendment, the zoning text amendment, the rezone and draft development agreement for formal action at the council’s Dec. 17 meeting.
Because tonight’s session was a briefing, no final vote was taken on the land‑use applications; the council’s guidance will be reflected in the final materials to be presented for formal consideration.
