Spats, insults at Riverton meet

RIVERTON — It was a rocky road Tuesday night for government officials in this small but growing city as council members argued with each other about one real estate development project and more than 200 angry residents turned out to speak against another that proposes the highest residential density ever.

In a city of cowboy hats and small-town pride, "high-density development" are fightin' words and on Tuesday prompted an outgoing City Council member to insult an incoming member.

Councilman-elect Roy Tingey cautioned the council against voting to approve a housing development, promising that the three newly elected council members would overturn the decision next month when they take office.

Tingey said he campaigned against high-density housing and said he would fight any attempts to pass such developments. Councilman Mark Easton, who was defeated in last month's election, asked Tingey if he believed that was best for Riverton. Tingey said yes.

"Then you are a fool, sir," Easton said, drawing shouts of protest from the audience.

Easton has said he supports commercial growth and high-density growth in the heart of Riverton, which he called much-needed for the city's tax base.

At least one resident called on Easton to publicly apologize to Tingey. Easton didn't do so.

A second development — some 325 acres in the heart of Riverton recently traded to local developers by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for undeveloped land in the west part of Riverton — drew the public's ire.

Developer Hamilton Land has petitioned the city to put high-density housing on part of the property. It would include town houses as well as commercial development. In some areas, the developer proposes putting an average of seven homes per acre, with other areas being single-family homes on third- and quarter-acre lots.

But in a city that is trying to preserve its rural feel, some residents are outraged, and others are worried that higher-density housing will only bring more crime and demand upon city services.

Clinton Dansey, who represented two families who own property next to the development site, said his family and others moved to Riverton to escape big-city problems. Higher-density housing, such as town homes, would only bring single parents and broken homes, as well as domestic violence, he said.

The new residents would only be a "burden" on schools and city services. "What is needed is a moat and a wall," Dansey said.

Troy Sanders, a representative for Hamilton Land, said the owners simply want to create something that will be of value to the community. Sanders pointed out that two sites have been set aside for two additional schools, as well as space for a city park and a youth sports complex.

After taking well over two hours worth of comment, the City Council is to hold a second public hearing on Dec. 23 before it makes a final vote on the issue.

The city's Planning and Zoning Board will meet tonight at city hall to decide what recommendation it will forward to the council before the Dec. 23 meeting.

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E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com