One stop or two?

It's a question that has sparked debate over the latest light-rail plans for downtown Salt Lake City.

At issue is a five-block, $35 million TRAX extension plan that will connect the line's Delta Center stop with the under-construction intermodal hub near 300 South on 600 West.

Mayor Rocky Anderson's office, along with city planners and the Rio Grande Community Council, are pushing a two-stop scenario with a station at 125 S. 400 West and another at 525 W. 200 South. The plan would crowd three stations within three blocks of each other — a move planners say is needed if the city is to push forward with its goal of having high-density, transit-oriented development in the Gateway mixed-use zone.

But the Capitol Hill Community Council, downtown residents, the Utah Transit Authority and the Boyer Co., which owns the neighboring Gateway shopping center, all want a single station, near 475 W. 200 South.

Wednesday night the Planning Commission is expected to weigh in following a public hearing scheduled for 5:45 p.m. The commission's recommendation will then be forwarded to the City Council, which will make the final decision.

The two-station opposition argues two stops are redundant and will slow light rail to a crawl.

"It is excessive for there to be three stations within two blocks of each other," Dakota Lofts resident Matt Manes noted in his public comments on the proposal. "TRAX will be even slower as a result of all the stopping and will make the line a less efficient form of transportation; this wastes resources and tax money."

Opponents also maintain two stops may snarl automobile traffic heading for The Gateway, will cost the city more money than a single stop and may decrease the property values of nearby housing.

"Noise from the station will disturb residents and reduce the property value of the residential units at Dakota Lofts," resident Chamonix Larsen wrote to the Planning Commission.

Gateway owner Roger Boyer maintains the city can encourage walkability through the Gateway by having only two stops — one at the north end of the shopping center and one at the southern end. He agrees it is redundant to put in another stop.

"The system will run more efficiently and the city will save considerable money for not having to build an extra station," he noted.

Planner Doug Dansie said an extra station would cost the city an additional $800,000, which isn't much given the extension's $35 million price tag, which will be funded by federal, state and city dollars. Rio Grande Community Council President Bill Davis said it would be "extremely short-sighted" for the city to base its decision on the expense of an extra station.