Provo opens door to zoning change
With the Sept. 11 primary 35 days away, accusations and innuendo seasoned a two-hour debate on a proposal to change the designation of 10 acres of property on Provo's west side from agricultural to residential.
The proposal passed 4-2, opening the door for Anderson Development to return soon with a request to rezone the land. The company has been angling to build a subdivision on what is commonly called the Radio Tower Property for three years, even filing two lawsuits against the city for past denials.
One resident spoke against the proposal before the City Council on Tuesday night and said she would be available for private discussions with council members but wouldn't exchange e-mails. Her e-mails were subpoenaed by Anderson in a lawsuit.
That revelation was tame compared to the tennis match give-and-take between council members and at least one candidate for office.
Councilwoman Midge Johnson accused Council Chairman George Stewart of threatening her access to legislators.
One of Johnson's opponents in the primary, Melanie McCoard, confronted Johnson for voting against a minimum house size for the west side. Johnson represents the district where Anderson wants to build and she and McCoard clearly battled to show they were best representing the 15 or 20 residents who attended the meeting to speak against the proposal.
Finally, having voted with the losing side, Johnson told residents they could lobby Mayor Lewis Billings to veto the resolution. It would take five votes to override the veto. Billings has 15 days to sign the resolution.
Cindy Richards also voted against the change. Stewart, Cynthia Dayton, Barbara Sandstrom and Cindy Clark voted for it.
Usually, changing an "A" for agriculture to an "R" for residential on a general plan map is fairly benign. The land still must be rezoned and even then a developer needs final approval for the exact development plan.
Johnson took issue with Stewart.
"I was told today I wouldn't be invited to any parties with the Legislature or the big guys if I didn't vote for this," she said. "I think there is something wrong in Provo if that is happening."
Stewart said he was kidding.
She also said Stewart told her two weeks ago he had four votes to pass the change.
"I felt this was a prearranged thing," she said.
Later, when he and Richards upbraided Johnson for the accusation, she refused to back down.
"Part of the legislative process is counting votes," Stewart said. "I don't appreciate the personal attack."
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