Local developer John Hendrichsen is closer to seeing his controversial Maple Hills development come to fruition. But delays in presenting the city what officials see as a workable plan has allowed public clamor against the project to increase.
More than 50 residents objected to downzoning Hendrichsen's property, 85 acres east of 1200 East and south of Maple Street, from an A-2 to RA-1 zone.Mayor Richard Maxfield contends the recent city elections show residents aren't ready or willing to allow zoning changes to accommodate large developers. All new City Council members ran on a platform of slow, controlled growth.
"The elections showed people don't want density there," Max-field said. "Keep your parks, and we'll keep the 21/2-acre density."
Maxfield referred to the most recent proposal, in which Hen-drich-sen would give the city more than 30 acres for city parks, trails and equestrian paths.
Regardless of the mayor's position, members of the Planning Commission say they are pleased with what they see and believe negotiations with the developer are positive.
"There has been more real prog-ress in the last seven days than in the last six months," said Boyd Adams, Planning Commission chairman and councilman-elect. "I have more hope that it will happen."
But some residents don't want any compromise. "I think we're better off with 21/2-acre zoning," said Jon Pratt, president of the Home Owners Association.
Councilwoman Marilyn Peter-sen said, "No other development has had the potential of changing the whole face of this community like this one has." She compared the situation to the biblical story of Jacob selling his birthright to Esau for a mess of pottage.
Of concern is the impact on the infrastructure of the city; the heavy load it would place on an already overcrowded elementary school; increased traffic on Maple Street; and water availability, said Hendrichsen attorney Marc Mas-caro. "There are more sources of water to be brought by Hen-drich-sen. We'll put sewer systems throughout the project. We've tried to address the issue of streets in the proposal."
Don Rogers, whose property adjoins the development, said, "I'm not against this kind of development, but as far as density, we have the right to expect others coming to the city to be held to existing zoning."
Hendrichsen has changed his density proposals more than three times since they first presented nearly a year ago. The current proposal averages 1.4 acres per lot. The tradeoff with the city would be parks for density.
Mascaro took a quick poll of those who officially opposed to the development. Of the 13 questioned, nine had lived less than five years in Mapleton and 10 lived on less than three acres. He reminded them that at one time their lots were rezoned for lower density.
Mascaro said, "We think the project has merit. I think 30 acres is a fair contribution. We will be meeting with (local) homeowners next week."
In voting to send the development back to the Planning Commission for more negotiation, Councilman Walt Walser said, "The consensus was to have 85 to 90 homes sent to the Planning Commission. This is the message they (Hendrichsen) worked on. Is our (the City Council's) word any good? Or are we going to toss it out as a whim?"
Hendrichsen will meet with the Planning Commission Dec. 14.