Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

A proposed warehouse development along a section of Center Street near the lower Provo River has some community members concerned about what it could mean for open spaces and nature along the riverfront as well as single-family homes in the area.

On Wednesday, the Provo City Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning proposal for roughly 13 acres of land located just west of Lakeview Parkway at 3410 W. Center St.

The inquiring developer wants the property changed from an agricultural zone to airport industrial.

A portion of the area just to the west, which included in the overall plan, is already zoned for industrial use.

The zoning change would allow the developer to lump all of the properties together into one project to build three large warehouse buildings.

Courtesy Provo City Planning Commission

Aaron Ardmore, who presented the proposal on behalf of the developer, explained the proposed preliminary concept plan for the area before the commission. The plan shows three large warehouses scaling one to two stories in height and totaling approximately 581,000 square feet of new flex space.

Regarding the three properties in the rezoning request, one has a single-family home, another is an empty agricultural lot and the third is a vacant city-owned parcel.

The proposal states that the buildings and subsequent parking lots would continue to provide public access to the Provo River Trail and recreational amenities.

“A big part of the discussion with staff, the planning commission and with the City Council already was the open space element against the river,” Ardmore said during the presentation. “We value the river, we have plans adopted that tell us we should continue to value the river and not turn our backs to it.”

The trail, which sits north of the river, would not directly be impacted.

While the planning commission largely agreed that the project could yield opportunities for additional amenities and recreation along the river, concerns arose regarding the implications of preserving mature trees in the area and changing the overall feel of the area.

The planning commission ultimately unanimously supported the zoning amendment and the proposed concept plan, but not before citizens voiced their opinion on the matter.

During the public comment period, those in support of the development argued that the section of the trail has not been well maintained; the trees are not healthy and are in need of replacements.

Current farm owners in the area, whose property would likely be purchased in the development deal, said they have a right to sell their land, citing the need for change in the community.

“What people have to understand is that, all of your ground at one time was farm ground all the way up. And yes, we enjoy the openness, but there comes a time when it’s time to move on,” said resident Christine Halladay.

Lyssandra Harker, a Provo resident who has been an advocate for preserving the area around the river, said she was disappointed in the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting and feels a lack of transparency about preserving green space around the river.

“Although they have been referred to as trash trees or messy trees, and I agree with whatever plans we have to not encourage people to plant more of these trees, they are also an established mature set of trees that home bald eagles during the winter, and owls,” she said before the planning commission. “They are well enjoyed by the north side of the river with all of the trail users that are there morning and noon and night.”

The planning commission suggested the developer look for ways to preserve trees near the river or replace the ones that are removed if the project moves along, though the city’s general plan as it stands currently would not require the property to do so.

The Provo City Council will take up the matter next and has the final say if the plan progresses.