A zone change from agricultural to mixed use requested by Split Rock Development was approved by the Taylor Town Council Jan. 4 following a public hearing.
Members of the Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission gave their stamp of approval to the request Dec. 6.
Mayor Fay Hatch opened the public hearing last week by asking Kirk Brimhall to make a presentation on behalf of Split Rock.
Brimhall explained that what is called Palmer Hill was purchased from the Arvin Palmer family, and noted that this will provide a 50’ access to Casa Linda Drive from property previously acquired from AZ Drilling and Palmer. Split Rock Development built the PFFJ’s office buildings and the clock tower, and previously submitted plans to develop that area, which has been zoned mixed use.
Brimhall explained that they brought the sewer line across the back of the Packers’ property, but they would have to dig down 18’ to 20’ in rock to take it to the west, which, he said, “hampered the opportunity to develop the property.”
He said that after several years of considering selling that parcel, Palmer allowed Split Rock Development to acquire it and provided an easement for the sewer line.
“None of the property is in the floodplain except the one corner and we have a permit to allow that to be filled,” said Brimhall, noting that has been reviewed by Ron Solomon of the Town of Taylor and Tetra Tech, and is ready to be filled.
“We won’t develop a comprehensive master plan until the zoning gets changed,” said Brimhall. “We sketched what would fit on the property.” He then provided council members with a copy of that sketch.
The north side would have single family residential units to fit with the existing single family residential along Casa Linda. There is a road coming from the west side of the property that would divide the single family homes, and there would be condominiums located near the shopping center and apartments near the west road. The sketch also included a complex that could include a medical complex and offices, with commercial retail space along Highway 77.
No public comment was offered, so the hearing was closed.
The item was then opened as an action item, giving council members an opportunity to ask questions.
“The only thing I had a question on,” said Councilman Shawn Palmer, “is any time we talk about something like this, there is concern about the capacity of our sewer. So will our sewer hold it?”
“That’s a question that will have to be answered when the application is made,” responded Town Manager Eric Duthie, explaining that at present they were just considering a request for rezoning.
“Zoning changes allow us to take the next step, to start doing all the planning, and your questions that were brought up is when Tetra Tech gets involved,” said Brimhall. “This approval allows us to start a comprehensive master plan instead of just a sketch.”
A motion to approve the zone change for parcel 202-23-096B from agriculture to mixed use passed unanimously.
“I would like to express a word of appreciation,” said Duthie, noting that for the past couple of years he and Brimhall had some discussion about medical space. “I see that’s on the map for some potential use, so congratulations for taking a look at that.”
In other business, Councilman Gary Solomon said, “I’m going to assume that we’ll have the Joe’s Pit process for the first of February.”
“That’s the plan at the moment,” said Duthie.
Brimhall explained, “Due to the holidays and time off, we couldn’t get the information we were seeking,” noting that the needed information was not just from local entities, but also from the state, so they requested a postponement.
Split Rock Development was granted a zone change last week on this property in Taylor, the next step in a project that would include commercial, medical and professional buildings, apartments, condominiums and single family homes.
