Clinton council backs preserving Civic Center mixed-use and front-facing homes in North Clinton plan

Mayor Marie Dougherty opened the Clinton City Council work session on June 16 with a discussion focused on the North Clinton Planning Area, the portion of the city generally north of 2300 North that includes land near Greenfield Landing, 1500 West and 2000 West and property owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. City staff told the council that several developers are seeking direction on future land uses and design expectations for proposed projects.

City staff and council members revisited prior consideration of creating a gateway or mixed-use corridor along portions of 2300 North. Staff reported that developers have expressed concern that commercial uses are unlikely to be viable on the east portion of 2300 North, near 1500 West, because the surrounding area has not yet developed sufficiently to support retail demand. Council members discussed preserving mixed-use opportunities on the western portion of the corridor while allowing residential development to proceed in the near term.

Council members expressed support for maintaining the planned mixed-use ("purple") area near the Civic Center as a long-term location for commercial and pedestrian-oriented development, describing a potential future neighborhood gathering area with small shops, dining and a walkable environment that could evolve as market conditions change.

Discussion of residential frontage along 1500 West and portions of 2300 North produced a clear preference for front-facing homes. The council reviewed alternatives — homes facing the roadway with rear-loaded garages, landscape easements maintained by a homeowners association (HOA), fencing and landscaped corridors, and private alleys serving rear-loaded homes — and several members said front-facing homes would create a more attractive streetscape and neighborhood character. City staff cautioned about maintenance responsibilities for landscape corridors and said the City could require an HOA and development agreement provisions to ensure ongoing maintenance and to prevent HOA dissolution without City approval.

On housing types and development character, staff reported developers intend to build single-family homes of varying sizes east of the powerlines. West of the powerlines, behind Home Depot, developers indicated little current interest in apartment projects; instead they showed interest in detached single-family homes, patio homes, twin homes and other attached housing products. Staff encouraged developers to provide a mix of housing styles and to avoid long rows of identical townhomes, a direction council members supported.

Council members also discussed potential public benefits in the city’s powerline easement. They directed that developers be asked to provide usable recreation space in otherwise unused powerline easements in exchange for the increase in density being offered from the current R-1-15 zoning. Suggested amenities included multi-use trails, exercise stations, pump or jump tracks for bicycles and additional community green space. Council members noted public interest in preserving meaningful green space as residential development proceeds and mentioned coordinating with Rocky Mountain Power about future uses of corridor areas.

At the conclusion of the discussion, council members indicated support for five general directions: preserving the planned Civic Center mixed-use area, encouraging front-facing residential development along key corridors, pursuing cohesive architectural and landscaping standards, exploring meaningful open space and trail opportunities within the power corridor, and updating the General Plan as development proposals become more refined. No formal vote was taken; the work session adjourned at approximately 6:44 p.m.

Next steps: city staff will refine map and design guidance and incorporate the council’s direction into General Plan updates as developers submit more detailed proposals.