Waterdance PUD discussed

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

Garden City, Utah. April 3, 2019.A discussion was held concerning the preliminary phase 1 of Waterdance, a Planned Unit Development located approximately at 185 S. 100 W. and owned by Norman Mecham.  It was noted that because  Mecham had the City Council change this project to a PUD, there are requirements that need to be met prior to doing any further building.  

The landscaping plan needs to be done.  The preliminary document doesn’t show any parking stalls or areas where they are to be placed.   Mecham said that he would make sure there will be plenty or parking, however, he didn’t want people to have specific spots.  He felt those living there could park anywhere they would like without having a certain spot.  The Council members, however, felt that they must know the number parking that would be needed and where they will be located.

Mecham didn’t have the location for the ingress/egress firmly established.  The commission asked that it be determined and shown on the preliminary document. 

Mecham said that he had decided to not turn the large building into a swimming area and has already started digging an area between the two building already on the property for an outside swimming pool.  When asked what he was going to do with the large building with no windows, he said it will become a recreational center with lots of areas such a basketball court, a climbing wall, and so forth.  He was asked about the parking for that building, and he reported that there will be parking stalls on the north side of that structure.  However, none of this was shown on his preliminary plat.

The question was asked about the set-backs for the buildings already built.   Mecham felt they met City requirements.  Since much of the work on this first phase has been done, Mecham was asked to add the parking on the plat so that the Commission could see the numbers and location of that area.

The preliminary document doesn’t show the direction the flow of water will take in areas around the PUD.  It was also pointed out that open space needs to be noted on the plan because each phase must be able to stand alone.  The open space needs to be shown and dedicated as open space.

Currently, none of the preliminary requirements for a PUD are completed.  The streets must be in place, and much of the landscaping needs to be in place prior before final approval of the preliminary plat can be approved by the Council.  The Council was unable to pass the preliminary plat because of all of the changes that had been made without letting the Council aware of the changes that had been made.  In addition, more requirements must be completed because of changing this area to a PUD.  Hopefully, these items will be ready so that the preliminary plat can be approved at the next meeting.

 Mecham was asked if he would be willing to give the City 6 feet on the east side of his property along First West.  He stated that he wouldn’t give the City even one foot.  He needed all his property for his PUD.  It was noted that First West will need to be widened by six feet because of the additional traffic using that street in the future.  A Commission member noted that it would be nice to get this settled now, or the City will have to use another method to obtain that amount of land in the future.  The other method is much more unpleasant than deciding before everything is completed.  The City will get it one way or another.   Mecham finally said he would give three feet on his east side, but that the other three feet must be obtained from the other side of First West.  Everyone said that would be great.  They thanked Mecham for his generosity.