The Coalville Planning Commission Monday night got an introduction to Red Hills Ranch—a proposal of nearly 250 acres on the southern end of the city, with development rights going back 20 years.
The applicant, Ivory Development, is proposing 349 units of residential single-family units and townhomes.
The land was annexed and rezoned by Coalville in 2001, under an agreement with an investment company headed by ski industry icon Ian Cumming. The company still holds the land, but long-time Coalville residents have always called it the Parley Brown Property, after a long-departed owner.
The site is mostly open land to the east of Hoytsville Road, but on the south edge, a portion crosses the road and stretches out to Interstate 80.
The planner for Red Hills, Eric Langvardt, said the proposed development’s design is sensitive to the land, and includes more open space and trails than required by the code. He said nearly 60 percent of the project will be open space. Details also include a connection to the rail/trail, a clubhouse and a system of several parks.
Coalville’s planner Don Sargent said the annexation agreement is also, to some extent, a development agreement.
City Attorney Sheldon Smith told the planning commissioners their review will be limited.
“One thing to keep in mind is that the way it was approved back in 2001, when it was annexed, it basically makes it a permitted use at this point. So there isn’t a whole lot of negotiation on density. Obviously, they’re looking at the density bonus. We’ll look at that very carefully to make sure that’s calculated correctly. But other than that, what has been presented is what was put on the books in 2001 and carried forward. And we have to work with that. It’s not like we can start all over. They have some rights, some vested rights.”
Planning Commissioner Julia Vernon had one suggestion for the applicants, but said she liked the plan and how it’s designed around the landscape.
“You guys look like you’ve done a great job designing around that. And it looks like a great design to me. I love the parks that you’ve added, the extra space you’ve added. I think that’ll be great for the residents there. I would encourage you to consider making the townhomes owner owned, just for the fact that we really do need some affordable housing. It would be nice to have some starter homes for people.”
In response, Ivory representative Skylar Tolbert noted that the annexation agreement did mention affordable housing.
The Planning Commission said that Red Hills should proceed to the preliminary plan approval stage and come back for another work session.
On another item, planning commissioners had little comment about an introduction to the Wohali Phase II preliminary plan. Don Sargent noted they’ve had many previous meetings on the overall project, which will be located in the hills west of Interstate 80.
Phase II includes an 11-hole golf course, and 181 resort units that are basically nightly rentals. Sargent said the planning commission took note also of 32 golf/lodge house units in Phase II and asked for details from the applicants.
“That’s what they got, going to give a little more detail on before the next meeting , is how those are configured, within those structures.”
Coalville City Planner Don Sargent. He said the next meeting will be a continued work session and a public hearing.
