Committee says Cottonwood Heights should not change laws to accommodate development

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS (Deseret News) — Elected officials should not change zoning laws to allow six-story condominiums at the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon, a residents committee formed to evaluate a condominium development has found.

Existing city code was called deficient by the 13-member group. They also said a Canyons Residential Resort zone was a bad fit for the condominium project dubbed Tavaci by prominent Utah developer Terry Diehl. Such a zone was before the City Council late last year.

The committee, led by Cottonwood Heights resident and Utah Housing and Community Development Director Gordon Walker, has been meeting for weeks. The group was called together after city officials were accused of giving special treatment to Diehl by initiating creation of the new zoning for his luxury project.

The residents and city planners looked at issues such as traffic, water usage and environmental impact and found Diehl to be "good, thoughtful and straightforward," Walker said after Tuesday's presentation of the report to the Cottonwood Heights City Council.

Nevertheless, their report could mean that Diehl will only be allowed 43 homes on the several acres he owns rather than the 184 attached units he envisions.

Either way, a gated road leading to the land already has been built, as has a $9 million spec home complete with a nine-car garage, servant quarters and a stone hot tub.

Original Article