'Monster home' plan still dividing neighborhood

Long-running rancor among residents of Millcreek Township over new zoning regulations aimed at curbing so-called "monster home" construction continued at a final public hearing before a council vote next week.

The four neighborhoods that make up the east-side community have grappled for nearly three years with a variety of approaches to place new restrictions on the sizes of new home construction and remodeling projects.

The divide falls between those who feel further restrictions will hamper development in the area and residents who maintain a lack of regulation will ruin the character of neighborhoods, as evidenced by the construction of oversize homes that dwarf neighboring residences.

Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch, who has pushed for an expedited resolution since the issue came before the council earlier this fall, said Wednesday that regardless of the decision, many in Millcreek will be left unsatisfied.

"The two camps on this issue have opposing world views that have precluded the chances for compromise or consensus," he said. "No matter what the council decides, a substantial number of residents are going to be unhappy with the outcome."

That dissatisfaction was already in evidence Tuesday as dozens of residents weighed-in on the proposal before the council. The latest iteration of zoning changes, constructed by the Millcreek Planning Commission and modified by the council, gives residents four different approaches and sizing options for new homes and additions. All four, said Salt Lake Home Builders Association executive officer Curtis Dowdle, will prohibit the township from attracting new homebuyers.

"Do you think someone with three or four kids is going to move into a 900 square-foot bungalow?" he said. "We are losing the people we need."

Dowdle told council members that the latest proposal would have consequences in addition to hindering development, including limiting residents from green building techniques that promote re-utilizing existing infrastructure.

Even supporters of new size limitations found some fault with the proposal.

Harold Lamb, representing a group called BuildWise which favors new size limitations, said the council's version of zoning changes made positive strides but could have done better.