On Jan. 17, the City Council rejected a proposal to change zoning around 10400 South and 3200 West to "RM," a move that would have paved the way for a 28-acre housing project.
Nearby homeowners balked at the plan, not so much over the amount of homes (four units per acre) that Peterson Development was seeking. No, the sticking point was with the "RM" zone the developer requested.
Turns out, RM is zoning-speak for multifamily residential.
"Nobody wants high density of any kind on that land," said Melba Taylor, a homeowner who turned in the signatures of 250 residents opposed to the zone change.
Four units per acre isn't high density in most places, and the City Council seemed to agree that many homes would be OK.
The development company said it was planning to build single-family ramblers - which would sell for $350,000 to $500,000 - with lawns and open areas maintained by a homeowners association. The company said it sought an RM4 zone only because South Jordan doesn't have a straight residential R4 zone.
Still, the council refused to sign off on the multifamily zoning, because the city would have no way of holding the developer to the planned four units per acre.
"If we change this and something happens, this zone is going to live forever and be attached to this property," Mayor Kent Money said. "I have a problem that tonight we only have an RM4 zone or nothing."
The current zone allows Peterson to build an office building on the property.
Others worry that a rezone to the property would open the door to other developers to request multifamily zones between Bangerter Highway and Redwood Road. While the area boasts a mixture of retailers, restaurants and office space, homes are all built on lots that cover at least a third of an acre.
"You're opening Pandora's box if you go for an RM zone," Councilman Larry Short said.
Bradley Marlor, the only council member to support the proposed zone change, didn't agree with the concerns.
"[These types of development] are very nice subdivisions," he said. "I can't imagine you are going to see any type of blight."
Council members didn't shut the door on the entire development. Instead, they asked city staff to examine the creation of an R4 zoning category for a residential neighborhood with four units per acre.
