April 2019 | Vol. 16 Iss. 04
FREE VOTERS COULD HAVE FINAL SAY ON POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT By Cassie Goff | cassie@mycityjournals.com
E
ven after a vote from the Cottonwood Heights City Council approving development on the property known as Walsh farm, the debate around the development is still ongoing, as a referendum has been filed to petition the vote and put the issue on this year’s ballot. (This story involves much prior development including the implementation of the planned district development (PDD) zoning, the planning of the proposed development (which is broadly an apartment complex), much public comment including emails and statements to the planning commission and city council from concerned residents, and many other ordinances and discussions concerning the property. For the full context on this story, please visit the previous stories linked or visit cottonwoodheightsjournal.com.) City council vote On Feb. 19, the city council approved Ordinance 317A: the enactment of PDD-1 (Walsh) Zone, approving the rezone of 5.9 acres of real property located at 6784 South and 1300 East from r-1-8 (single family residential) to PDD-1, and amending the zoning map. The approved ordinance incorporated built-in language to require a public trail easement along the creek located on the property. The ordinance required the trail to be constructed, paved with concrete, asphalt, or crushed stone, which would be covered by an easement. Additional modifications included tree preservation requirements, fence height and mixed-use commercial requirements. “We are really excited that our family legacy will be preserved in this new publicly accessible creek-side path,” said Dave Walsh. “This section of the creek was previously off limits on our private property but now it will be shared for all Cottonwood families to enjoy.” The vote was unanimous among Councilmember Scott Bracken, Councilmember Mike Shelton and Mayor Mike Peterson; Councilmember Christine Mikell and Councilmember Tali Bruce were absent.
Referendum sponsors are urging residents to sign a petition that would put a zoning decision on the ballot. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)
“Mr. Walsh did note in 2005, when we did the general plan, this parcel was slated for multi-family development,” Bracken said prior to the vote. “Had it not been, I would have been of a different opinion now. Its immediate neighbor to the east has a higher density and height… I do feel this meets the PDD.” “Planning is one of those places where the Land Use Authority is required to abide by the standards set in the past,”
Shelton said. “Mr. Walsh correctly articulated the facts. This development application complies with the standards we set. The land use applicant has the right to have that application approved. I appreciate that we have had a land use applicant who worked hard to find ways to comply even when their understanding was not in line and different from ours.” Peterson showed his preference as he stated, “If it was under my control, I would make it a park. We don’t need or Continue on page 4...
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