Despite an outcry, the City Council unanimously approved a zone change this week to greenlight the Joaquin Village, a residential and commercial super-development south of Brigham Young University that will house 952 students and tower five stories high at some spots.
"We recognize the need to provide good housing for students," Councilwoman Cynthia Dayton said before wading through two hours of public comments. "Somewhere you can bring a date home to and not worry about the door falling off."
Residents generally supported a housing development at the site between 500 North and 600 North at about 600 East, but balked at this proposal. Many wanted it to be smaller, others asked for more traffic mitigation, but most worried about parking. They want the developer to offer more of it.
Joaquin Village will have 613 on-site regular resident parking stalls for the 952 resident beds.
"This will permanently alter the character of the Joaquin neighborhood," said Neighborhood Chairman Kurt Peterson, who likened the project to the introduction of 250 new homes to a subdivision.
"This development can kill the future of the south Joaquin Neighborhood," said Charlene Thompson. "It's like looking down the barrel of a gun. A development of this scale brings too many people to an already-crowded neighborhood."
Developer Dave Gardner countered that the fewer parking spots, the better for the neighborhood because it will reduce the number of renters with cars.
"We have oodles of parking," Gardner said. "We have less parking than you required other people, but what we hope to do is actually encourage less cars, less parking."
To that effect, Joaquin Village contracts will offer cheaper rent for those who don't have a car. Developers said the efforts to reduce cars will work only if the city helps by adopting parking permits in the area.
The council approved an ordinance this week that would make way for such a program in Joaquin.
People doubted whether adding nearly 1,000 students to a city block would ease the parking crunch.
"We've never seen evidence that people will leave their cars," resident Celeste Kennard said. "Why are things going to change all of a sudden?"
Said 22-year Joaquin resident Susan Keller: "The Joaquin property is not the right place for a project of this density. The dramatic increase in density and building height will be harmful to the community."
The residents didn't get their desired response from the council.
"This was very, very expensive land to purchase," Councilwoman Barbara Sandstrom said. "And with the cost of construction, really, this is the size this needs to be to be successful."
Once finished, the village will feature a covered pool, a salon, a retail corner and three "sports areas" with turf.
