On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, the Pleasant View City Council voted unanimously to approve the first phase of a new subdivision located at approximately 2900 North Highway 89. This subdivision is the second of its kind for Pleasant View in that it is a planned high-density subdivision. The first phase will include 72 units on about seven acres of land. Phase 2, if approved in the future, will also include 72 units and will extend west to the train tracks.
It is being built in an area close to the current businesses located near the intersection of 2700 N and Highway 89, as well as the Front Runner station. This is with the idea of helping to encourage more commercial development within Pleasant View City boundaries. Council members did express the concern that at this time there will not be any sidewalk on Highway 89 nor a walking/biking path connecting the development to the Front Runner Station parking lot. Currently, UDOT will not allow curb and gutter with a sidewalk to be constructed in front this development, nor the property to the south as they have designated this section of Highway 89 to be a rural area.
The developer, Mr. Kirk Peterson, stated at the City Council meeting that he is hopeful that an agreement can be worked out with the landowner that separates the development and the train station. Information from the Reed Mackley, the owner of the land separating the development from the train station, is that a proposal has been made to Mr. Peterson, but to this point there is no agreement in place. Mr. Peterson has commented via phone that he is still interested in coming to some agreement for a walking path to the benefit of those who will live in the development.
Some citizens have expressed concerns with the possibilities of this becoming a low-income housing project and an eyesore in the community. Information from Council members and Mr. Peterson is that the project is government subsidized and the rents charged will be at reduced rate based on the renter’s current income. If a tenet qualifies for housing assistance through government programs they will still be eligible to use those benefits for these units. There will be eight units that will be rented at market rates ($900-$1,000), while the remainder will be income qualified and will range from $300 to $900 a month. The development will contain two, three, and four bedroom units and will all have a garage.
The developer has stated that the outside of the units will be the responsibility of the owners and will be well maintained as part of a HOA. The development will include a six-foot concrete wall around the exterior of the project. Part of the development’s master plan provides for the option at the owner’s discretion to offer the units or sale after a period of 10 years to those who qualify.
Due to the concerns brought to the City Council’s attention relating to the number of potential high density developments, the Planning Commission and City Council have proposed changes to City zoning laws for areas currently allowing these types of developments. The areas affected by the proposed changes will affect the west side of Highway 89 from the City boundaries on the north to the City boundaries on the south and on the east side from the City boundaries on the south to include the property currently occupied by Admiral Beverage. Other areas include both sides of 2700 North from the canal on the west to the area near the golf course on the east.
The objective is to encourage mixed-use development along these corridors leaving areas for commercial only lots in areas such as around current and proposed intersections.
