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Council approves amendment allowing optional three‑story townhomes at Villages at Arrowhead Park
Summary
Payson City Council approved a first amendment letting the Villages at Arrowhead Park development optionally build three‑story twin homes and townhomes. The developer said the change would add parking and larger floor plans; several councilors raised aesthetics and homeownership concerns.
Payson City Council voted to approve a first amendment to the Villages at Arrowhead Park development agreement that allows the flexibility for three‑story twin homes and townhomes instead of the two‑story units originally permitted.
City staff explained the change would not increase the number of units but would permit larger unit footprints. Quinn Millett, representing the prospective buyer, said the three‑story option would add on‑site parking and more usable interior space: "We're adding a 108 parking spots," Millett told the council. Millett also said three‑story designs allow for an additional bedroom and avoid basement construction where the water table is high.
Several council members voiced reservations about height, neighborhood character and potential impacts to homeownership. One councilor said, "I think they're ugly," expressing aesthetic opposition to three‑story townhomes. Others questioned whether taller units would encourage rentals rather than owner‑occupied homes and urged a mix of heights and design relief rather than an all‑three‑story buildout.
Staff and the applicant said the amendment could include language requiring driveways as part of the design and allow staff flexibility to work with the applicant on dimensional adjustments. The council approved the amendment on a roll‑call vote; council members asked staff to draft or confirm additional language on driveways and design relief before final implementation.
