BOUNTIFUL -- Approximately nine acres of Bountiful's scenic foothills are now slated to be developed. During Tuesday's Bountiful City Council meeting, the council approved a rezone of the area located east of 1600 E. Skyline Drive. The rezone will make way for the construction of three new homes, as well as the pavement of one of the area's dirt roads.

But the council's approval didn't come without a few hurdles.

The Planning Commission gave a unanimous "no" to the project, and neighbors around the area didn't hesitate to share their disdain for the concept during three public hearings.

In the public hearings, numerous residents spoke, saying that there were a variety of reasons that the rezone should not be approved.

"We are very upset about the whole project," said neighbor Joseph Rust. "The city seems to be pushing for this development, and I ask why? You are opening up the area for more development."

"These roads are not designed for the type of traffic that's coming through," noted resident Chris Brinkerhoff. "If you keep rezoning, what's going to stop the next developer from coming in and building more and more."

Other concerns raised by neighbors included heavy traffic, hillside stability, low water pressure, harming the hillside's natural beauty and safety issues.

But according to the city staff and the council, all issues presented by the Planning Commission and neighbors had been addressed.

"After going to all the meetings, listening to public hearings and studying the issue, I think that we have addressed the issues," said Barbara Holt, council member.

Holt then made the motion to approve the rezone, stating that the developer must comply with the council's conditions. Some of those conditions require the developer to revegetate all earth disturbances, put in skylights and construct a sidewalk.

And while some attendees still seemed upset with the Council's unanimous decision to approve the rezone, each council member agreed that the advantages to the rezone outweighed the disadvantages.

"Making that dirt road into a hard surfaced road will enhance fire services, enhance erosion control and help run-off," Holt said. "These are great benefits to the city as a whole."

The proposal to rezone the area was submitted by Holiday Bank and Trust, owners of the land. A plan for development is expected to reach the planning commission and council in approximately one year.



sryther@davisclipper.com