Neither had much say - or notice - when a housing development for homeless seniors near 3100 South and 3600 West was approved last year.

Now, officials in Utah's second most-populous city want to make sure any similar future projects go through a public hearing first.

"That use kind of snuck up on us," Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said, "and snuck up on the neighborhood."

West Valley City knew senior housing could be built in the zone without public comment, but it was surprised to see that it also applied to housing for homeless seniors.

While construction on the Kelly Benson Apartments halted last November, the plan is to start up work again later this year. The Salt Lake County Housing Authority picked up the project from another developer midway through the planning process.

"We just were told that all of the pre-development had been done," said Kerry Bate, the housing authority's executive director. "We didn't know a public hearing hadn't been held."

Bate said the housing authority's policy is to contact neighbors near proposed project areas.

Last month, more than 40 residents attended a housing authority meeting and encouraged moving the Benson apartments to a different area - one that was not along a "safe route" for children walking to school.

But Bate said the current spot is good for senior housing and argued that the area would benefit from some development.

"To picture that as a pristine site that will have problems [because of the Benson apartments] is probably unlikely," he said, noting that a contractor visited the place before work began there and found condoms, liquor bottles and pornographic magazines.

Bate said subsequent talks with neighbors have prompted the authority to shift its focus for the Benson apartments. Initially, housing was to be offered to seniors who are both disabled and homeless. Now, rentals will go to disabled seniors, some of whom might be homeless.

In addition, the authority is considering hiring off-duty law enforcement officers for security.

While the city knows any ordinance tweak won't stop the Benson apartments, the mayor said he and council members want to prevent a situation like this from recurring.

"It's only fair that people who are going to be impacted by a proposed use have the opportunity to express the concerns they have," Nordfelt said, "or the lack of concerns."

mariav@sltrib.com