On November 13, 2012, Pleasant View City held a public hearing to consider re-zoning property near the corner of 2700 North, and 600 West in Pleasant View to allow for high density housing. The City Council heard arguments for private property rights, and a place to live; and against decreasing property values and increased crime etc. before it denied the request.
When various individuals addressed the Pleasant View City Council on November 13, 2012, almost everyone seemed to have a slightly different reason for or against the re-zoning proposal submitted by landowner Corky Olsen and his sister and business partners, for a 13 acre plot of land near 2700 North and 600 West. The first to give a public comment was resident James Reeves. He said he had concerns. He asked if this is “subsidized housing”, and commented that, “subsidized housing brings in a group of people that stigmatize an area”. He referred to his and others’ concerns with home values and land values. Next to comment was Mark Collier, the Developer who together with the owner and Realtor, John Hansen, had proposed the re-zone. He said he would address the concerns. First he said the proposed housing was, “not subsidized housing”. Then he said that his company does background checks on the potential renters, and that these homes would be rated A- to B+ as developed. He said the plans were for 3 story apartments, and that his company has “built” in almost all of the cities in Davis and Weber Counties.
Sonny (Steve) Thompson, who lives nearby on Shady Lane (600 West), said traffic and kids were his concerns. He said he is in agriculture and that, “Cattle, and kids, and fences, and traffic, and people with nothing to do, and kids with nothing to do…It’s a dead end”.
Yet, the tenseness in the room wasn’t without some humor. With a wry grin, Mr. Thompson addressed his neighbor, Mr. Brown, as he pivoted and raised a finger saying that if Mr. Brown’s father knew about this, “there would be hell to pay”. This brought some chuckles from the audience. Later, Mr. Joel Judd seemed to indicate his displeasure by saying, “Johnny Hansen and I have been friends for years,” and as he turned towards Mr. Hansen said, “Maybe it will end.” This brought some chuckles from the audience as he quickly added: “I hope not. He’s a good brother!”
Several others had concerns that included a road proposed in conjunction with the development to be located next to the adjoining property owned by Fred Brown. Other concerns expressed were potential impacts to the community, effects to the school system (144 to 216 units were proposed), kids crossing the busy Highway, and good things proposed by the Developer potentially becoming degraded later due to management changes.
Several people spoke for the re-zone. City Administrator, Melinda Brimhall who spoke as a citizen, stated that she lives close to the proposed apartment complex, and that “not every tenant brings negative aspects to a community. She said that she had trouble finding housing when she moved here earlier in the year, and implied that she would have been a good renter. She also said that such a complex would be somewhere that she could invite her aging parents to live so that they could be close to her and her brother. Another resident of Pleasant View speaking for property rights, Dan Davis, said, “Who are we to tell someone what they can or can’t do their property?” Besides, he said, “Maybe it allows...” some “to live in our wonderful community and enjoy the wonderful Pleasant View that we enjoy.”
During City deliberations after the hearing, Mayor Clifford spoke for the development while the Councilmen seemingly spoke against it - often citing public opinion. Councilman Scott Boehme, speaking of prior plans the city had made, said, “What we’re seeing is not – at least for myself – what I envisioned we set up.” The Council voted unanimously to deny the rezone, and thus to block the development.
