From Deseret News archives:
Draper rezones school lands
Council acts despite opposition from about 100 residents
Despite more than an hour of testimony and appeals by a Jordan School Board member, a school board staffer and a member of the school district's split transition team, the council voted 4-1 Tuesday for the rezone. Councilman Jeff Stenquist dissented.
The Draper Planning Commission recommended that the council vote against the rezone which, oddly, was initiated by the City Council. Generally, land owners petition cities for rezoning ordinances.
The parcel meant for a high school is located at about 800 E. Willow Springs Drive (about 850 East). The other two are at 1461 E. 13200 South and 12695 S. 700 East.
A member of the Utah Legislature attended the meeting in support of the rezone. Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, was the only proponent of the rezone who addressed the council.
"I support it to save the land," Hughes said. "That's all we're trying to make sure of. There are no draconian motives here."
The successful vote to rezone the properties, which total about 80 acres valued at $40 million, took effect immediately. The action was hailed by the council as an attempt to save the properties for future schools, but many who attended the meeting believe it will decrease the properties' value and could cause bad blood between the city and a new school board, to be elected in June.
The rezoning could also affect deliberations between east- and west-side transition teams looking to fairly divide Jordan School District property in preparation for the district split. The two teams have been in discussions for months and were looking at the possibility of arbitration even before the Draper move.
The zoning category to which the properties was switched was newly created for the occasion. Tuesday night's vote amends the city's general plan and zoning map. The new zone allows for public and charter schools, outdoor entertainment and recreation, minor utilities and municipal uses. The land had previously been zoned for residential uses, including farm land.
"I hope that it won't have a negative effect, but it's really hard to tell," resident Marcia Day said of the rezone. "The whole issue was rushed, but I do think the City Council has the best interest of the citizens at heart."
E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com
