After multiple denials, a scaled down version of Midvale Mills development gets council approval
Apr 28, 2021 12:23PM ● By Erin Dixon
Alex Murphy, Midvale city planner, explains the differences in Midvale Mill plans as they have changed over the past year. (Screenshot)
By Erin Dixon | [email protected]
When was the last time residents were pleased at a close-density project?
Midvale Mills is a redevelopment at 300 E. 8000 South. Adam Nash, the developer, has been working with the city for almost 18 months on this project.
In December 2019, Midvale City Council denied the first rezone request. The developer approached the city with a new plan and was denied twice, once in May 2020, and again in September. In October, council advised a townhome portion of the plan be removed. In February 2021, the planning commission recommended to city council the approval, but the applicant requested a delay in the public hearing. Finally in April, the plan was approved.
What changed in that time? The project size was decreased from 12 acres to 10. There are only 72 units down from 122. There are four parking stalls per unit and 55% open space. There is no longer community garden space, or a trail leading from the development to the existing neighborhood.
“Over the last year and half, I and my neighbors have voiced strong opposition to the previous development plans,” David Hale, resident of the adjacent neighborhood, said. “I would like to express my support. My initial concerns were centered on the high density proposed as well as the trail cutting through our Larson Cove neighborhood. The recent plan has eliminated both concerns.”
“I think this is a terrific example of coming together. Of where there was opposition and misunderstanding...where this has coalesced in a neat process where the developer…everyone, opening lines of communication…staff…community…all of these folks have come as a show of support,” resident Christopher Ashby said.
Even the developer was pleased. “I’m really happy to be to this point,” Nash said.
“We went A through Z, and now we’re on A and B. We went through 28 revisions.”
“You’ve come a long way from a 5-0 denial,” Councilmember Dustin Gettel said.
Nash stated that the homes in the property will be for sale, not for rent, and will start at about $450,000.
For more history on this project, see: https://www.midvalejournal.com/2021/01/26/343877/midvale-mills-project-on-hold
