From Deseret News archives:

Farmington councilman and developer sue city

Published: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:18 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A developer and city councilman have sued Farmington, claiming the city illegally denied a request to build homes on about 10 acres of private land.

The property, in north Farmington, is owned by Councilman Larry Haugen. He has been working for about 18 months to sell the land to North Park Development, but the city has twice denied requests by the developer to rezone and build on the land, so Haugen has been unable to sell.

He and the developer filed their lawsuit earlier this month in 2nd District Court after the city denied the second request, said Brady Hall, who owns North Park Development.

"We just want to say that we're not going away," Hall said. "We want to see a solution, and we want to see fairness."

Hall said Monday that he worked with the city for months on his development plan and was told by the city planner and other officials that the plan was appropriate and met all requirements.

But the City Council ultimately denied the rezone request, even after the city's planning commission approved the development plans.

Story continues below
Haugen, whose property is used now as a junk yard and family automotive shop, believes that one of his neighbors unduly influenced the City Council. The neighbor, Tom Owens, owns the old Rock Grist Mill, which was built about 1857 and is northeast of Haugen's property.

Owens said Monday that he was disappointed that the lawsuit was filed but said he didn't think it had much standing. "It has pretty broad allegations," he said. "To me, it's an issue of: Does Farmington city have the power to preserve the ambiance and essence and heritage of old-town Farmington, or doesn't it?"

Owens added that he would like to see maybe one or two "ranchettes" built on the Haugen property, and all without future development rights, so that the land around the mill can be preserved as open space.

The current development plan for the Haugen property calls for about 36 dwelling units, some of which will be single-family homes.

In November, when the property was up for its first re-zone request, several angry residents attended the meeting and said they didn't want the land near the historic mill rezoned for high-density housing. Owens also had gathered about 100 signatures on a petition, which was presented to the council, to oppose the rezone request.

But Haugen said that he thinks the council's vote was a "raw deal."

"I have sat on the City Council for 11 years, and I have never seen them treat a developer the way these guys are being treated," he said. "I think Tom (Owens) has influenced them on open space that isn't his, and that everyone needs to work together."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Farmington's old Rock Mill is owned by Tom Owens, who is fighting plans by a city councilman and developer to build homes on private land nearby.

previousnext

Latest comments

"...if Mormons make a mistake..." This guy did not make a "mistake". He...

With rumors of the UFL coming to Rio Tinto, this may be an opportunity to get...

Clinton to Dems: pass health bill

We really care what former President Bill Clinton says about health care. The...

Senators want food tax restored

For some people they take take take from the government and never pay...

In this case the person in question of the crime is a MAN. When the article...

5A football: Darts edge PG

A loser makes excuses. And actually your best player is Kruger not Lloyd....

Y. tight ends talented tandem

BYU will not beat Utah even though it's at their house. The Utes won't be...

It is unfortunate that BYU didn't face Utah last week. It would have been fun...

shes cute!

Flyers get QB back for semifinal tilt

If the kid should not have been ejected, it was the right decision. But...

Advertisements
Advertisement