LAYTON -- It was a small lot, just .23 of an acre that was proposed to be rezoned from residential to professional business status in the La Donna Mesa subdivision on the city's northeast side, but it caused a big stir at a recent City Council meeting.
Following Thursday's public hearing where several dozen subdivision residents showed up to oppose the rezoning, the City Council voted 4-0 to deny the request. Only the applicants and one neighbor spoke in favor of the proposal.Brent and Deborah Lichfield wanted to build a 1,456-square-foot home on a vacant lot at 2650 E. 3344 North and use it for a preschool during the day and a dance studio at night. No one would live on-site.
The Lichfields, residents of La Donna Mesa themselves, wanted to move their current 20-child home occupation business into a bigger environment.
"We live in the neighborhood, too," Deborah Lichfield said, explaining she wanted to have something that would be an asset to the neighborhood. "I didn't even think that anyone would be opposed to it."
Paul Milligan, spokesman for residents opposed to the rezone proposal, argued the business was in an unsafe location for children. It's too close to busy U-193 and several water ponds of the adjacent Weber Basin Water District headquarters.
"The water ponds are a big concern," he said.
He also asked who would want to live next door to a business and presented a petition signed by 90 residents opposing the rezoning request.
"It'll be a business forever," Milligan said.
Councilman Brent Allen agreed.
"It creates a potential business atmosphere in a residential area," he said.
He also believes it is too small of a lot for a business and agreed the lot would have some significant safety issues for children.
Jayne Higginson said the traffic from nearby Hill Air Force Base already makes U-193 a nightmare to drive and any more businesses in the area will only make it worse.
Mayor Jerry Stevenson said the city has used professional business zoning successfully a lot in recent years to buffer residential areas from commercial uses. However, he said in this case there are already plenty of buffers in place.
He also feared that if the professional zone status is granted, it may end up as some other type of business years later.
There were some rumors circulating that the rezoning would bring in a gas station or convenience store, but there is no truth to that.
"Retail is not allowed in the P.B. zone," Scott Carter, Layton economic development director, said.
The Planning Commission had narrowly approved the rezone proposal 3-2 a few weeks ago.