Provo subdivision is back, developers hoping modified plan of fewer homes OK'd

Peterman criticized the City Council for bringing the issue back to the drawing board, saying the council is going through a back door to get the development approved on a fast track.

Kathryn Bichsel lives near the radio tower that gives the property its name. She recalled the triathlon Provo staged a couple of years ago. During the event, the two roads out of the neighborhood were closed. Nobody could get in or out.

She and her husband Jed are among a number of neighbors who worry about getting out during a potential disaster.

"If there were ever a derailment on the train tracks or a major chemical spill going over the bridge we drive under to leave our area, we're blocked off," Jed Bichsel said.

Provo Mayor Lewis Billings' staff backs the land-use amendment. So does City Council Chairman George Stewart, who said Anderson Development will propose pushing traffic away from 680 West and onto 500 West.

"I'm personally in favor of the changes and will vote for it," Stewart said, "and I believe we have a majority of the council that is in favor of it, but you never know that until you have a vote."

The opposition represents more than a message that amending the land-use designation would be premature until new roads connect the area to the I-15 interchange at University Avenue.

Changing the designation would prompt Anderson Development to seek a zoning change and submit an application to develop, something Stewart recognized.

"I think they'll be right back for zoning," he said. "If I was them and had a general plan approval and I had a plan ready to present, I would. They have a presentation ready."

Anderson Development partner Michael Hutchings, Stewart and Jed Bichsel, Kathryn's husband, all noted that a recent neighborhood meeting with the developer drew only three neighbors. They agreed the reason is that neighbors generally like the lower density proposal, but Jed Bichsel said something else is going on, too.

"You're seeing the neighbors say, 'I'm tired of it, I'm tired of all the hassle.' I hope more show up (tonight). We're just not satisfied putting more houses down there until we're satisfied there are more roads taking traffic in and out."

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