LAYTON — Development of a unique senior living center on the city’s south side has been delayed by traffic problems in the area that city officials want to address before signing off on the project.
Officials tabled a request on Thursday to rezone about 6.45 acres at approximately 250 N. Adamswood Road and 215 North after discussion of traffic on Adamswood Road brought complaints from neighbors, as well as concerns from members of the city council.
The property is currently zoned R-1-10 for single-family residential and would be changed to a high-density residential to potentially accommodate a 151-unit senior center. A development agreement and general plan amendment associated with the project were also delayed as a result of the tabling vote.
In tabling the issue, city officials set an Oct. 4 deadline for staff to come back with possible solutions on how to address the traffic issue. City Manager Alex Jensen said staff has already initiated a closer look at parking problems in the area. He’s confident the development may help the city solve an existing traffic problem.
“I don’t know that I could approve this unless this road could be taken care of. I’m just not confident with where this road would be placed. The biggest stumbling block is the road,” Councilwoman Joyce Brown said.
Resident Carl Hurt used a public hearing on the matter to suggest the problem in the area goes beyond just traffic. He suggested there are already too many apartment complexes in the area.
He said there are 13 apartment complexes within a mile of his home.
The project developer, Western States Lodging Inc., has proposed a three-story complex aimed at seniors, described as being more of an assisted living and independent living complex than an apartment building. Steve Miles, a company official, said there is no facility for seniors in Layton like the one they are proposing.
Miles suggested the traffic problem on Adamswood Road is not necessarily related to his project.
“I think the issue as I listen is traffic. This issue is present whether we develop or something else does. I’d love to help out where we can, but this issue needs to be dealt with whether we are there or not,” Miles said.
Traffic studies done on the project show a rezone to the 151-unit housing complex would actually generate less traffic than leaving the existing residential zone for a potential developer of 21 single-family houses.
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