Planning commission backs rezoning, development agreement for Slater properties after traffic and drainage concerns

The Far West City Planning Commission on Monday recommended that the City Council rezone the Slater family properties near 1300 North and 2400 West from agricultural (A-1) to R1-15 and also recommended approval of a companion development agreement negotiated with the developer.

The developer representative, Chris, told the commission the project has been substantially revised since earlier reviews: the plan was reduced from roughly 520–525 units (including about 200 townhomes) to 385 units, townhomes were replaced with patio homes, and the agreement now includes park space, trail connections and specific development standards. "We went with patio homes, so there's no townhomes," Chris said during the presentation.

Residents at the public hearing pressed for specific mitigations. "If this development will connect to or significantly affect 900 North, has a traffic impact study been completed?" said Caleb Albee, a nearby resident, asking about turn lanes, roundabouts and whether the road will become an access point for future development. Dennis Miller and other neighbors raised related concerns about narrow neighborhood streets, on-street parking and trail maintenance.

Mayor Dave Bolos and the developer described several concessions and protections negotiated with the city. Bolos noted the developer agreed to contribute $4,000 per lot to the city for infrastructure and parks, and Chris said stormwater control will be required under the appropriate prevention plan and inspected by city staff. "They will have to conform to our ordinances and to our code," Bolos said. Community development director Nate Carver added the developer and the sewer district included language in the development agreement requiring notices on title informing buyers the property is near a sewer plant and may experience odors or noises.

The developer also described circulation and emergency access: 900 North will include bollards for emergency access only, while 1300 North and other master-plan roads will serve as the main in-and-out routes. Commissioners noted that a traffic signal at 2000 West is controlled by UDOT and will require a traffic study and UDOT approval; the development is expected to increase the priority for studying signalization.

After the hearing the commission voted to close the public comment period, then moved and passed a recommendation that the City Council approve the rezone and the development agreement. The motion on the development agreement included a change to Section 8.85 to require that small accessory structures meet current city code setbacks rather than a separate reduced setback.

What happens next: the planning commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action; the development agreement and rezone will both appear on a future council agenda.