In a recent planning commission meeting, a proposal for a land use and zoning map amendment for properties located at 825 to 865 East 48100 South was discussed. The amendment seeks to change the zoning from General Office (GO) to Residential Multifamily High Density (RM 25), allowing for a denser residential development than previously proposed.

The request follows a previous application presented on September 5, which included a portion of land zoned R18 for single-family homes. After community feedback and discussions with neighbors, the developers opted to withdraw the R18 portion from the current application, aiming to address concerns about density and environmental impact.

The proposed RM 25 zoning would permit up to 22 dwelling units per acre, with a maximum height of 40 feet, compared to the GO zoning, which allows for a maximum of 30 feet and is primarily intended for office use. The developers argue that transitioning to RM 25 would not only provide a mix of housing types but also reduce traffic generation by approximately half compared to the existing office buildings, as supported by a commissioned traffic study.

During the meeting, developers Adam Hughes and Jake Bird emphasized their commitment to addressing community concerns, including traffic and energy consumption. They noted that the existing office buildings are outdated and inefficient, consuming significantly more energy than the proposed townhomes, which would adhere to modern energy standards.

Despite the developers' assurances, some commission members expressed skepticism about the density of the proposed project and the implications of rezoning. Concerns were raised about the potential for future developments on the remaining R18 property, which the developers assured would remain unchanged and not subdivided.

Public comments were also solicited, with one resident expressing frustration over perceived privacy violations regarding the sharing of personal information and a lack of adequate notice for community meetings. The resident highlighted concerns about preserving mature trees and wildlife, traffic control, and the capacity of local power infrastructure.

The planning commission ultimately recommended forwarding the proposal to the city council for further consideration, reflecting ongoing discussions about balancing development needs with community interests. The outcome of this proposal will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for future zoning changes in the area.