The Roy City Planning Commission voted Oct. 14 to forward a positive recommendation to City Council for a development agreement that would allow Stewart Land Company to increase allowable building height by 10 feet at a project near 2436 West 4000 South in the Station North (SN) zone.

Applicant Brad Brown described a mixed plan of townhomes and apartments that he said generally matches the Station North plan’s expectations. He and staff asked the commission for clarity on allowable building heights so the developer’s financing partners have certainty. The commission’s positive recommendation is intended to resolve ambiguity about where 60-foot versus lower-height buildings may be permitted within the station area plan.

Brown said the proposal could include an option to create a city cemetery on a city-owned parcel adjacent to a detention basin; the developer described potential land donations and swaps that would modernize and upgrade the detention basin while conveying a small tract to the city for a cemetery if the city chooses that use. Brown and staff said the project could pay a significant portion of infrastructure costs that would make a cemetery more economically feasible for the city.

Traffic and access were a recurring topic. Commissioners and the fire department pressed the applicant to provide or secure a second access because of train crossings and existing congestion on 4000 South. Brown and staff said the developer has engaged traffic engineers and is developing multiple options, including an emergency-only access, and that the fire department has already required a secondary access for safety.

Public commenters raised concerns about lack of a finalized development agreement in the packet and about traffic on 4000 South, including blocked crossings when trains pass. Diane Chaston repeated that she did not see a final development agreement in the packet and urged procedural caution before contractual approvals. Natalie Roper (4171 South 2175 West) described observed traffic backups at the railroad and said more development will stress 4000 South unless additional access is provided.

Commissioners approved a motion to forward a recommendation to City Council clarifying the 10-foot height allowance in the Station North area; commissioners Bailey, Hobert, Felt, Tanner, Thompson and Reed voted “aye.” The packet and all finalized contracts will be provided to the public when the matter goes to City Council. Staff and the applicant said that final site plans and traffic engineering drawings will be reviewed and disclosed during site-plan review and at council review.

Votes at a glance: Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation to City Council to increase building height by 10 feet at the Stewart Land site (roll-call: 6–0).