SANDY — A controversial development has put Sandy's regular City Council meeting on hold today. Instead, members of the council and planning commission will meet on the proposed project — a discussion that could send the developer back to the drawing board.

High-density condos, retail sites and a five-story office building will be part of Village at Park Avenue, but the $50 million project abuts low-density neighborhoods in both Cottonwood Heights and Midvale. The 9.4-acre project sits in an awkward tonguelike piece of Sandy land bordered by the neighboring communities.

The mixed-use project was approved by Sandy's planning commission in February. However, concerned residents and Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore opposed the development at last Tuesday's Sandy City Council meeting.

"This is not just a Cottonwood Heights issue. It's truly a community issue," said Perry Bolyard, chairman of Friends and Neighbors of Union Park. "It's just too big. It doesn't fit that site."

The Village at Park Avenue is proposed to go in at 7700 S. Union Park Ave. But the project is atop a hill above Creek Road in Cottonwood Heights, a wealthy area of the 1 1/2-year-old city.

"Simply stated, the development is too tall, too dense," Cullimore said. "The Little Cottonwood Creek Canyon over which this development will tower is an upscale part of our neighborhood.

"It's our Pepperwood," Cullimore said in reference to the exclusive neighborhood in Sandy. Cullimore read an article to council members that said good planning should not stop at city borders — a piece written by Alan Matheson, chairman of the Sandy Planning Commission.

Cottonwood Heights passed a resolution unanimously in April opposing the development because of its size.

The development does not fit zoning requirements. Current standards in the area are meant as a buffer between residential and commercial development and have a 35-foot height limit.

"These buildings are overwhelmingly high," said Rob Dahl, another concerned resident. "The entire neighborhood is going to be covered with shadows sometime during the day."

Developers Commercial Mortgage & Investment have been working with the city on the project for more than a year and a half. They hosted numerous community meetings, listened to concerns at six public hearings, and have altered the size of the buildings at the request of residents and commissioners.

With retail district Union Heights across the street, Village at Park Avenue architect Lyle Beecher said it will be the "gateway to Sandy."

"This is an answer to what communities need and want," he said.

After more than two hours of presentations last week, council members had varied opinions, citing the size and traffic on the already crowded Union Park Avenue as major concerns.

"I'm mystified to why the planning commission green-lighted the project," Councilman Steve Smith said. Addressing developers, he said: "You were fully aware there was a 35-foot height requirement. Yet you exceeded that."

A statement read from Councilman Dennis Tenney, also the planning commission representative, said the developer and architect have "bent over backwards" to please the city.

Council members and commissioners will meet at 4:45 p.m. for their council dinner in Sandy City Hall.

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