Contribute news or contact us by sending an email to: RCTonline@gmail.com

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Waters Edge & Firehouse Pizzeria Discussed


Randall Knight, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  November 6, 2013.  The public hearing of the Garden City Planning and Zoning was held as scheduled at 4:30 PM on the first Wednesday of the month.  The board members in attendance were:  Lance Bourne (chair), Mike Schiess, Chuck Stockings, Susan House, Nate Gracey, Dwayne Gifford and Jim Hanszelka (Nonvoting member for Lake Front Owners).

Lance reported Waters Edge wants to reduce the number of parking spaces from the total number of 439 required by the commission.  Lance stated the following issues need to be resolved: 1. traffic impact, 2. authorization from the Army Core of Engineers, 3. fire lane turn around areas, 4. zoning changes from commercial to PUD, 5.  6-8 ft privacy fence where the surrounding boundaries meet, 6. height limits. Randall Knight, fire board member, told the commission the developer needs to come back to the fire board and readdress the fire truck requirements.  This request is needed because it has been a year since it was last discussed and the new fire chief may not be aware of the agreements.

The board went right into the Planning and Zoning meeting.  The board members in attendance were: Lance Bourne (chair), Mike Schiess, Chuck Stockings Dwayne Gifford, Nate Gracey, Susan House and Jim Stone.

The board made some wording changes to ordinance #13-14 to help clarify the over-night parking requirements for oversized vehicles.

A discussion took place between audience members in regard to a 6-8 ft privacy fence down 50 south and 150 south where the property is separated with a road.   Lance reported the commission cannot require a fence in that scenario, but they can require a fence be built by the developer where the property lines join.  They also said they have a concern with the Waters Edge impact to the community if it is not successful.  The town was lucky to have the city buy the current building after that motel adventure failed.
Draft version of #13-15 in regard to annexation and re-zone requirements was released for review and comments.  

Norm Mecham was sent back to the P&Z by the Town Council because they were going to require him to go through the Variance Commission to change the zoning from commercial C-1 beach to PUD, and to finalize other issues.

Norm Mecham presented an application to rezone the lakeside development (Waters Edge) from commercial to PUD.  Mike said he does not have an issue with the height limit of 30 ft near the highway and the growth to 50 feet as the building moved closer to the lake, because the line-of-sight would still meet the viewing requirement from Hwy 30.  Norm recommended moving the condo by the swimming pool closer to the lake by 15 ft.  This would allow the height to be reduced to ~ 42 ft and would still meet the high water mark set back requirement. 

The water loop system was discussed next.  Lance recommended the board members require a loop system because the whole community would benefit.  Lance said the loop water system including the PRVs (pressure reducing valves) would improve the fire safety for the community because it gets rid of the single line feed currently in place.  The loop system would make it possible to isolate water line breaks from the rest of the system so everybody down line would still have water while repairs are being made.  Norm said he objects to that design and would not do it voluntarily. 

Norm also asked to reduce the parking requirement by 50% and sited large city parking requirements for his argument.  They would be more useable if the density was reduced.  Lance stated parking needs here are not the same as large cities because people bring boats, RV/ ATV trailers, and camp trailers to the site.  Mike said he reviewed the plan and came up with 351 single and 44 double parking stalls as the minimum number of stalls required.

Norm said he objects to the impact fee and the way it is calculated.  He doesn’t feel his development should pay a higher fee than any other business in town.  He estimated the impact fee for the loop system would be approximately $100,000.   Danny White said impact fees are not negotiable, but the development agreement can be.  Danny also said that future developers would be charged an impact fee for the loop system so Norm would be reimbursed for that portion. 

Lance recommended the proposal to rezone be tabled to learn more about the loop water system and the impact fee amount.  Danny and Norm agreed the P&Z does not have the authorization to negotiate.  Lance reminded everybody the Town Council rejected the plan and Norm did not want to go to the variance committee but agreed to come back to the P&Z so they do have the authority to negotiate.

Nate motioned to table the decision, Jim seconded.  The vote was 2 yea (Nate, Jim), 4 nay (Dwayne, Susan, Chuck, Mike), Lance only votes if there is a tie.  Motion was made to recommend the town council rezone the water edge from C1 & beach development to PUD with stipulation that current ordinance requirements apply and the height, parking, impact fee and loop system need to be resolved.  The motion was seconded and the vote was 4 to 2.

A request was made to approve the architectural and parking plans for a new pizza restaurant called Bear Lake Marina Firehouse.  This would be located at 750 N. Bear Lake Blvd (north of Lochwood and south of raspberry patch).  The motion was made and passed. 
The meeting was adjourned.












No comments: