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A year and a half of negotiation and planning fell through on June 24 as the American Fork City Council turned down a proposal to put a mixture of commercial and residential buildings on a 10-acre piece of property on the east side of 900 West, across from Costco.
Bringing that business into the area has affected neighboring property. The housing development planned several years ago for the American Fork side of the street has been canceled, with developers saying no one would want to live across the street from the warehouse store.
Two brothers, Wade and Frances Carson, have been trying to sell the property. There have been several interested in developing the land, for residential, then for commercial, and most recently for a mixed commercial and office project, with a buffer of residential bordering homes currently on the project's east side.
Christopher Webb, representing Chasebrook Co., has worked with the Planning and Zoning Commission for a year and a half, hammering out versions until they came up with a compromise they thought the city could life with.
At the recent City Council meeting, however, the council members thought differently. In a three-to-one vote, with councilman Rick Storrs excused, the council voted to send the developer back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a recommendation to make the project into an office complex.
Councilwoman Sherry Kramer made the motion to send the plan back.
"Look at professional office zone and a 60-foot linear park on the east," she said. "This could be single story office buildings."
She said she would consider a limited commercial use at the south end of the 10-acre site, if Webb could get a letter of intent from a good restaurant.
Some expressed concerns about traffic and the possibility of continuing the commercial zoning farther to the north along 900 West.
"Professional office generates significantly less traffic," said councilwoman Heidi Rodeback. "There is nothing we can to do prevent further debate about commercial farther north, unless we put a buffer of professional office."
Karen Schaack, who has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, said she favored the office plan.
"I think there is a better design we can have," she said. "The city needs to be more than a great place to shop. It needs to be a great place to live, too."
Councilman Shirl LeBaron was in favor of the plan as presented. He said it was a good compromise. LeBaron said if the city was going to change its mind, the developer should have known sooner.
"That is what we should have told them two years ago," he said. "I think this is an appropriate compromise."
Mayor Heber Thompson, who could not vote, agreed.
"I think the motion puts the property owner at a sizeable disadvantage," he said. "Personally I feel this is a good compromise. This is a significant improvement from previous plans."
LeBaron noted that Planning Commissioner Rebecca Staten, who had previously expressed concerns about the project, had voted to recommend the latest version.
Shauna Carson, one of the property owners, expressed frustration about the vote.
"It has been close to three years," she said. "We cannot sell our property. Nobody would live on 900 West. The street is also failing miserably," she said, referring to the amount of traffic.
COMMUNITY NOTES
Employee of the month -- American Fork City recognized Rusty Fotheringham as the employee of the month for June. He was honored at the June 24 City Council meeting. He is a Parks Department employee.
"Your competence and knowledge of water conservation, tree biology, pruning, soils, welding, and mechanical maintenance covers all aspects of the parks department and is extremely beneficial to not only your coworkers but the community as well," Mayor Heber Thompson wrote in a letter to Fotheringham. "Our beautiful city parks are a reflection of your hard work and dedication."
Concern expressed about inner blocks -- American Fork resident Robert Hall spoke to the City Council during a public comment session at the June 24 council meeting. He said he was concerned about new homes being built in inner block developments. City regulations require that those projects be similar to the buildings on the exterior of the blocks, but Hall said that was not happening.
"I see nothing in common," he said. "They are inconsistent. We don't want skyscrapers."
Cartooning class to begin-- The American Fork Arts Council/Visual Art Board is starting a second class of cartooning. It will begin Tuesday and runs for four weeks. It will be from 3-4 p.m. in Room B of Historic City Hall, 31 N. Church Street, American Fork.
This session will include basics of the human figure, action, costuming and expressing student creativity. Figures such as Iron Man, Batman, the X-men and others will be practiced.
The class is geared for children and youth, ages 10 and up. The cost is $25 and all art supplies needed are provided by grand moneys from the Utah State Art Council and the National Endowment of the Arts. Those who want additional information may call Sydney Thomas at 756-3738 or Lori England at 763-3081.
They may register at the Arts Council office, 31 N. Church Street during regular business hours, or by mail to Sydney Thomas, 609 N. 300 West, American Fork Utah 84003. |
