Developer backs off rezoning

FARMINGTON — Planners of a controversial development backed away from building plans Thursday, saying further study of the project was needed.

"I want to find an amiable solution that is acceptable to the neighborhood, that is acceptable to the city," said David Dixon, architect for the planned development.

The nearly 200 in attendance at a Planning Commission meeting applauded Dixon as he emotionally withdrew an application to rezone the land for commercial development.

"This is something that I consider very serious because I have my reputation at stake," Dixon said. "I want to do something that represents (this site) well, that helps me remember what used to be there."

The site, located near U.S. 89 and the Cherry Hill interchange, is primarily agricultural. For nearly eight weeks, homeowners neighboring the project site have dotted the city with signs decrying the proposed development as a waste of open space.

"We question the viability if the 21 acres (of development) that are planned," reads a statement presented by an opposition group, Citizens4NMU.

In July, city planners changed the zoning of the site from commercial to a "neighborhood mixed use" development, or NMU. It was described as a victory by residents, who said they had fought two years for that change.

Thursday was no different.

"I'm excited that they would withdraw," said Dave Anderson, attorney for Citizens4NMU. "I don't think they would withdraw if there hadn't been opposition. I think we have their attention now and I hope they listen."

During a public comment period, Anderson asked that residents remove yard signs protesting the project and attend a public open house on Thursday, where new site plans will be presented. Details have not been released.

"We have to be really serious about what we bring in and what impacts we have on the limited retail we have," he said.

Dave Potter, who owns a portion of the development site, asked that the Planning Commission expedite any upcoming decisions about the property and zoning requests.

"We encourage you to act swiftly on this and to please look at the truth," he said. "We've got to sell. We can't make a living on it. The taxes are too high, the (cattle) production is too low, because we can't use it."

On Thursday, site developers will hold an open house at the Farmington City Community Arts Center, 120 S. Main. Residents are invited to comment on plans for the proposed development.

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