Tribune Archive December 1999

Centerville, Consultants Rethi ... 12/24/1999

The Salt Lake Tribune
Date: 12/24/1999    Edition: Final    Section: Utah    Page: C3
Keywords: Demographics; Planning & Zoning; UT
Subject: Politics    Matter: Government    Detail: Civil and Public Services

Centerville, Consultants Rethinking Town's Center
BY BRANDON LOOMIS    THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
When Envision Utah listened to Davis County residents last year about what they want for their future, Centerville residents complained their city is misnamed: It has no center.
   Now the nonprofit planning partnership is looking to do something about that. Envision Utah consultant Peter Calthorpe has created a master plan for about 50 acres near 400 West and Parrish Lane -- on the east side of Super Target and Home Depot -- that mixes retail and residential lots and emphasizes walkability.
   "We don't have this kind of thing in Centerville," said City Manager Steve Thacker. "It would be wonderful to have an urban village within our community core."
   The only drawback for some residents is that the plan includes homes of all sorts, including townhouses and apartments, in an area that neighbors say has enough multifamily housing already.
   Calthorpe's plan includes the 18-acre Porter Walton Nursery property that has caused a stir even before the consultant got involved. Developer Peter Cooke proposed 260 apartments on that property until more than 100 neighbors persuaded the Planning Commission to reject a zoning change last week. Cooke then withdrew the application and is waiting to see whether the city likes Calthorpe's ideas for the property better.
   The other 30 acres, currently an alfalfa pasture owned by Security Investment, would include shops, second-floor offices, a mixture of housing including apartments, a performing arts center, a county library branch and possibly a recreation center under the Calthorpe plan. The nursery property would include a park and housing in the range of 20 units per acre.
   Calthorpe examined the property at the city's request and with the help of a $10,000 planning grant from the Utah Quality Growth Commission and $15,000 from Envision Utah.
   Over time, the project could be linked to better transit service, one of Envision Utah's development goals, said D. J. Baxter, a program director with the nonprofit. That might mean light rail eventually, but certainly steadier bus service, Baxter said.
   "It would be a perfect place to provide good bus service because there would be a concentration of activity," he said.
   Thacker expects the Planning Commission and City Council to consider a rezone for the entire 50 acres by spring, with a decision possibly by mid-2000. With proper design, he said, city officials hope to make the multifamily housing more appealing to neighbors.
   "There's general support for the urban village, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly concepts that Mr. Calthorpe has presented," Thacker said.

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