Lehi residents pack City Hall to protest Ivory development

LEHI — More than 120 residents packed Lehi City Hall on Tuesday to protest development plans proposed by Ivory Homes.

Although Ivory Homes CEO Clark Ivory and President Chris Gamvroulas say they intend to build a high-end, master-planned community in the area south of U-92 and the Micron property, residents worry about multiple-family housing, increased traffic and a decrease in land values.

Folks who oppose the project have been attending city meetings for months, circulating petitions and writing letters against the project.

Lehi Mayor Ken Greenwood said many of the letters he's received that argue against allowing Ivory Homes to build the development wrongly attack the integrity of city workers and elected leaders. He said many of the letter-writers are "ignorant" of all the facts.

The mayor said it's been shocking to watch Lehi grow from a rural community of 10,000 to a 34,000-resident city. "I love this town," he said. "I grew up here. I choose to live here."

At the meeting, Greenwood said the council would deal first with the annexation request of 239 acres at 3200 North between 600 West and 700 East.

Then, he said, they planned to deal with the concept plan and zone change.

The council approved the annexation unanimously.

Gamvroulas then outlined three choices for a concept plan, which includes plans for community amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court and clubhouse.

Trails would be integrated into neighborhoods, as well as church meetinghouse sites, parks and open space.

Ivory read a letter sent to potential developers in January 2004 from the investment arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The letter offered the property for sale, provided sites be set aside for churches, a school, a storm-drainage retention pond and parks.

Ivory said not only does his company intend to honor the seller's requests but he plans to put the Ivory Homes corporate headquarters in the "Club Ivory" project.

"We plan to be here for years to come. We are committed to Lehi city," he said.

Gamvroulas said Ivory plans to put 898 total units into the project area, including 288 multiple units.

He said if multiple units are pushed out of one plan, they would be designed into the alternate plans as townhouses or "mansion" units.

"They don't just get thrown out," he said.

Neighbors in the past have said they don't want smaller lots next to their large lots, and they don't want to be surrounded by traffic and congestion.

As of deadline Tuesday night, the council had not made a decision on the plan and zone change.

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