FARMINGTON — A small development of nine single-family homes, on a small nook of property in the center of the city, has been given approval to move forward.
City officials voted unanimously at a recent meeting to grant schematic plan approval for the Nichols Nook planned unit subdivision at approximately 48 South and 100 West on a 0.94-acre parcel of property.
The project is being developed by Walker Homes.
The Centerville-based company chose to pursue the development after the landowner opted to develop the site into townhomes.
The property is owned by Rodney Griffin, of Kaysville, who first initiated the project almost six years ago but found his original plan too difficult to market.
Neighbors and officials like the single-family home plans in the new schematic but echoed concerns about parking and small lots for the subdivision.
City officials wrestled with a schematic that called for a less-than-standard-width road through the project, which would be maintained by a homeowners association.
Walker Homes had outlined a plan to have a street that is two feet narrower than the city standard, citing the need to take advantage of every foot of space to market small homes priced in the low $200,000 range for empty-nesters or new families.
The homes would feature a 10-foot setback in the backyard; however, that did not go over well with some potential neighbors.
Henry Werner wondered why he is required to have a 30-foot setback in his backyard, while the new homes will be one-third of that.
“I don’t appreciate the fact someone is able to build something 10 feet from my property line,” Werner said.
City staff wants the developer to pursue a plan with a wider street, taking one foot of setback from the backyard and the front of the homes to make the required street width.
City officials said having a street that meets city standards will be critical if any potential HOA for the area eventually tries to turn over maintenance of the street to the city, which is what officials are forecasting.
The parcel of property is zoned R-4, which will accommodate multifamily housing.
The motion to approve the schematic did address parking in the area. Councilman Cory Ritz suggested parking on 100 West be limited to neighbors and their guests, and not open to the general public.
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