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While two controversial downtown zoning change items were put on hold indefinitely, Pleasant Grove's Community Development Department still hopes that the changes will take effect in the future.
"We've been trying to do what's good and positive for downtown," said Ken Young, Community Development Director.
Young feels that citizens have overlooked the Downtown 2020 Action Plan goals because they are concerned about a proposed 10-story building in their neighborhood.
"Around the same time that we were ending our general plan update, the concept of this development came forward. People felt that we were promoting it," said Young.
According to Young, the development was listed in the original downtown plan as an element that should be considered, not as a definitive part of the plan. Approximately 150 city residents wanted to speak out against the downtown plan at a planning commission meeting on Jan. 24.
"All of our efforts, concepts and vision ended up being overlooked," said Young, noting that the protesters seemed to be focusing on the 10-story building.
Some of the plan's goals are to establish a downtown advisory board, retain and assist the expansion and improvement of existing businesses, promote destination businesses, schedule and hold new downtown events, expand and promote the Pioneer Park, improve the Downtown Park and amend zoning codes to match the desired land uses.
The first goal, the downtown advisory board, is now in the works.
"We're gathering thoughts and names now and the City Council will establish the board," said Young. According to Young, the board will probably be made up of various committee members, representatives from the three affected downtown neighborhoods: Old Fort, Little Denmark and Stringtown, and downtown residents and business owners.
"I believe that a core group of impartial citizens could get together and allay many of the fears and debunk the rumors. That core group could then spread the truth and restore feelings of cooperation which are essential if we are to work together to make Downtown the heartbeat and soul of our community," said Richard Bradford, Economic Development Director.
Many residents do not like the idea of allowing a five-story building in the downtown area, which the zoning changes would allow. But, according to Young, that is not much of a change from the current allowance.
"Currently, a 55-foot building is allowed, but is limited to three stories. Three stories are normally 40 feet. We're only suggesting 10 more feet," he said.
Another major concern is the increased traffic to residents' neighborhoods.
"There will be impacts that we will have to deal with," said Young.
But, according to Young, some changes will have to occur if downtown is to be revitalized.
According to Mark Riddle, a neighborhood resident, the forming of an advisory board is a good step, depending on who is chosen for the board.
"We've asked that it be truly representative of the citizens of Pleasant Grove. It's the people of Pleasant Grove, not the city planners, who should decide what kind of downtown we will have," he said.
For more information about the Downtown Plan, contact the Community Development Department at 801-785-6057. |
