Heber City Council voted to allow four major developments in Heber City to move forward last night.
During its regular meeting, Heber City Council approved plans and ordinances to allow for new residential, commercial and industrial developments to move forward.
The council approved 120 residential units at the Springs at Coyote Ridge in the Sorensen Annexation. These will include cottages on small lots, townhomes and houses on lots up to two acres in size. In total, the property covers 13 acres.
That project was approved 3-2 after lengthy discussion to clarify language in the developer’s proposal. Councilwoman Rachel Kahler opposed it, saying the developer should include a park in the plan and pay for it to make up for delays in construction on Coyote Lane.
“I think it’s really a shame if these homeowners have- especially a townhome area and don’t have a park, and I just think it’s the responsibility of the development to provide an environment that is conducive to play and exercise. So I’m asking, due to a delay in the road, that you would consider a $75,000 park amenity contribution,” Kahler said.
She also said the plan should have included an acceleration lane for turning right onto Highway 40.
The council gave final approval to the Old Mill Village subdivision at 644 West 100 South, which will consist of 166 total units on 15 acres.
Kahler and Councilwoman Heidi Franco were also the only two “no” votes on this project. Franco called some of the language in the presentation unclear, and said she wished it included more permanent open space requirements.
One ordinance the council approved on Tuesday will allow a storage facility, retail stores and an auto mechanic shop to move forward. The site of that development is at 160 West 500 North and is 4.2 acres.
Part of the city’s Envision Heber plan to improve the downtown area had designated that area to be for recreation and tourism specifically.
Responding to criticism that his plan was too industrial, the property owner, Stephen Kitchen, told Kahler he was willing to compromise by possibly including an underground gun range there.
Another ordinance changed a zoning agreement to allow construction of a two-story apartment building. The site is at 160 West 500 North.
The Garden Apartments will be 32 units on a lot just over an acre in size.
Finally, the council voted against amending an annexation policy plan that would have separated the resort on the Bonner property from the Heber City map.
Kahler and Franco were once again the two votes in the minority for the measure.
Kahler said she voted for it to show residents the city is not interested in developing the North Fields area. Councilman Ryan Stack said that his "no" vote would keep Heber City involved in land-use decisions that unfold there.
Also at the meeting, a city-wide air quality policy did not go to a vote. Four councilmembers preferred to table a decision for a later meeting to allow time to tweak the proposal.
