Developer seeks flex commercial project south of Morty's Car Wash; council favors development agreement

Mitch Vance of Jay Fisher Companies asked the council to consider a flex business development on parcel 130390081, south of Morty's Car Wash, saying the car-wash owner "is willing to allow him to widen the entrance for shared access." The parcel is listed on the city's projected land-use map as Commercial Highway (C-H) with a 'cloud' on the southern portion to allow consideration of patio homes.

Mayor Rod Westbroek and council members pressed for protections for nearby residential properties and for limits on industrial uses. Mayor Westbroek suggested a residential buffer on the developer's property and opposed vehicular access onto the narrow 7800 South. Councilman Blair Halverson noted the land-use map designation and said he "did not oppose commercial for the entire parcel." Councilman Joel Dills asked the developer to explain how industrial uses would be limited; Mr. Vance said a development agreement would help "get everyone on the same page." Councilman Wayne Winsor expressed concern about how the future roundabout on 2700 East would coordinate with the project and preferred a single-phase completion.

Council members and staff discussed design elements (materials such as brick or stucco versus tilt-up), access limitations imposed by the transportation master plan, and the practical limits on building types when loading bays are excluded. The council agreed that a development agreement outlining permitted uses and access provisions would be the appropriate next step and directed staff to work with the developer on that document.