Hearing today in Farmington will steer proposed village's fate
Architect and Farmington resident David Dixon, president of Dixon & Associates, hopes the old-style plans will calm residents' worries about the loss of open space.
However, it isn't the design that has opponents worried.
"The development, as it's been shown, is actually a lovely development. It just doesn't belong in this community," said Sharon Treu, representing Citizens 4 Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU), a group of Farmington residents petitioning for the development's rejection by the City Council.
The problem for both groups comes from a blank spot in the city's plan. City planner Dave Peterson said that the definition of exactly what NMU zoning entails had yet to be decided, and planners were working on the wording for the property when the issue came up. The council will vote on the issue after the public hearing in late July or early August.
The decision is bigger than the Old Farm village. Once voted upon, all NMU-zoned property must follow the decision.
Dixon, a former member of the Farmington City Council, sees Old Farm as a benefit to the city. It's estimated the development will bring Farmington $466,000 in tax revenue annually.
Treu is worried about the trucks and heavy traffic that will increase on Main Street. She compares the situation to Sandy and Centerville's problems with Wal-Mart, saying that the stores are "far too many and far too large" for the property's size and location. She's not alone, either.
"Almost everyone I speak with, when they understand the issue, are very concerned about over-commercializing Farmington and dis- rupting our neighborhoods," Treu said.
Developers have tried to make the project look anything but commercial. The design copies ten old buildings in Farmington to create an upscale retail development that mixes an old look with upscale retail. Dixon wants people to think of a miniature Riverwoods in Provo.
Developer Rulon Gardner is excited about the project because it hits close to home. A Fruit Heights resident, he said he doesn't have many shopping choices nearby, and this development will change that. The former president of The Boyer Co., he was involved in building The Gateway in Salt Lake City and has built smaller residential developments as well.
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