Riverton meet angers many residents

RIVERTON — News that the City Council intends to vote on a controversial high-density residential/commercial development on a special meeting the Saturday morning after New Year's outraged many residents attending a second public hearing Tuesday night at Riverton Elementary.

At a time when many city councils across the state place most matters on hold for the holidays, Riverton residents said the Jan. 3 scheduled hearing was an attempt by three lame-duck council members to push the development through before new council members take over at noon on Jan. 5.

At issue is 325 acres of farm land, located in the center of the rural community, which was recently traded to developers by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in exchange for land further west. Developer Hamilton Land has asked Riverton for a rezone to higher-density housing to place smaller lots and commercial retail. In some parts, Hamilton has proposed building condominiums or apartments in some of the highest housing density ever seen in the city.

Mayor Mont Evans said Tuesday the council was supposed to vote on the development that evening, but adequate notice for Tuesday's public hearing was not given. State law requires that public hearings need to be posted and published 15 days prior.

Residents expressed anger that the council was railroading the project without any solid proposal or impact studies and that the old council was simply trying to pass the development before newly elected council members take office. They all ran on platforms against high-density development.

"We're not holding meetings on Saturdays," said resident Carl Ahlberg. "Our intelligence is offended that you treat us like we don't understand . . . this is getting pushed through because the council is going to change."

A clash of ideologies has created high emotions in the city.

Some council members, including Councilman Mark Easton, have said Riverton needs more commercial development in order to build the city's tax base to fund services. However, other council members question if that would jeopardize Riverton's rural feel.

During a public hearing last week, a council member called an incoming councilman "a fool," drawing ire from residents. Councilman-elect Roy Tingey expressed concern that such a large development was being rushed through. Tingey was asked by a councilman for his opinion on high-density housing, and Tingey said he was opposed to it.