FARMINGTON -- Realizing the city's CMU zone moratorium would run out in just over five months anyway, members of the Farmington City Council reacted swiftly to Oct. 5's request that it be lifted now. But, perhaps, not swiftly enough to suit Richmond American Homes. The development firm controls a 40-acre parcel located in the midst of the area between Park and Shepard Lanes, and Main Street and U.S. 89. It would like to create a residential development on it. And it would like to do it right away. It also has some ideas for land situated between its parcel and Park Lane, land it doesn't control.

Richmond's residential plan consist of low density homes along Main Street, a medium density component just to the west and high density housing along U.S. 89. Included would be an "enhanced wetlands" development with trails, and room for a church site.

Richmond does not do commercial. But it believes the area along the north side of Park Lane would be suited to that type of development, backed up with a limited amount of office space.

Though it cannot, as yet, affect development on the land to the south of its parcel, Richmond American Homes representatives asked council members to lift the moratorium so they could move ahead with their residential plans.

Farmington established the moratorium just over six months ago while it worked to create text for the new CMU, or Commercial Mixed Use zone. The text would determine permitted, conditional and non-permitted uses.

At the Oct. 5 meeting, city council members noted there remain concerns about the kind of development proposed for areas zoned CMU. Despite the Commercial Mixed Use designation, some areas included proposed developments without any commercial, just residential. Residential is a permitted use in CMU, but, as council member David Hale explained, the city had hoped for a more balanced mix.

Fellow council members Larry Haugen and Rick Dutson said they did not want to repeat the difficult experience in developing the NMU or Neighborhood Mixed Use zone on property to the north. Taking a little more time now might be preferable to a long, drawn-out and exhausting debate.

"The NMU situation continued for a long time," said Dutson, "and it took a lot out of the community."

Mayor David Connors re-minded council members the city's time, however, was not infinite. In five months and 28 days the moratorium will run out on its own.

"We need to get in gear and get going," said Connors. "We can't wait four months to resolve this."

While council member Susan Holmes suggested creating a sub-committee to study the issue, Connors recommended meeting with Farmington City attorney Todd Godfrey first.

"We need to take guidance from legal counsel," he said, "and if that guidance is to set up a study committee then we should move forward."

Council members then approved slating a meeting with Godfrey for Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.



bmickelson@davisclipper.com