In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the River Canyon rezoning application and the implications of a proposed 11th amendment to the development plan. Mr. Lehi presented a letter to Mrs. Scott, referencing a commitment made by Mr. Steve Nichols, a principal member of River Canyon Real Estate Investments, to never build on certain proposed sites. This claim was supported by a four-page project summary extracted from a comprehensive 2,401-page zoning application initiated in 1999.

Mr. Lance, representing the River Canyon team, argued that the project summary does not constitute a binding commitment, emphasizing that the lengthy planning process involved numerous discussions and revisions. He stated that Mr. Nichols had never made any promises regarding the preservation of specific areas as open space or golf course property, as evidenced by an affidavit dated August 9, 2024, in which Nichols asserted he made no such commitments during over 300 meetings related to the River Canyon plan.

The meeting also addressed concerns about the potential impact of the proposed amendment on adjacent homeowners and the surrounding environment. Mr. Lance highlighted that the amendment would not diminish the required 300 acres of open space established in the original development plan and would have minimal impact on the views of nearby residents. He argued that the amendment would benefit not only the golf club members but also local businesses and residents.

Planning department staff confirmed that the proposed amendment does not increase the intensity of land use or density, and all necessary public utilities and services are already in place to accommodate the development. The staff report recommended approval of the amendment, asserting that it meets all required standards and does not confer any special benefits to individual landowners.

Overall, the discussions underscored the complexities of real estate development planning and the balancing of interests among various stakeholders in the River Canyon project.