WEST JORDAN -- The massive Jordan Commons development got a bigger this week as the City Council rezoned an adjoining 69.8-acre tract for commercial use that will include new Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.
Council members Tuesday also delayed a request from Russell Grosse Development to rezone on an additional 25.5 acres for the construction of 440 condominium or rental units and a six-acre park while the developer reworks the proposal.When both of those areas are added to the existing 408-acre Jordan Landing project, it will expand the area of the development to 503 acres -- by far the largest multiple use commercial, industrial and residential development in West Jordan's history.
City staff is uncomfortable with the proposed density of the multiple-unit housing development, given its close proximity to another 760-unit development nearby.
"That's an awful lot of condo housing" for one area, observed Wayne Harper, the city's community and economic development director. "We're recommending a 240-unit cap" on the 25.5 acres."
Harper also said he believes development of the entire 95-acre package is three to seven years premature for the city's planning purposes.
Developer Gary Harrison said reducing the density to the degree suggested by Harper would make the residential portion of the development unfeasible.
But the developer noted he's willing to cooperate with the city in coming up with an acceptable solution. "We've got a great project lined up," Harrison said.
He indicated Wal-Mart, which has entered into a partnership with Grosse Development on the project, has estimated the new businesses will generate $3.7 million annually in sales taxes.
Deleted from the initial proposal for the 95-acre parcel were an auto mall and an assisted-living center.
Harrison said he would like to have an auto mall in the project but did not want to be bound to that use in case developers cannot work out a satisfactory arrangement with an auto dealer.
If the auto mall isn't feasible, he added, he wants the right to "go for the highest and best use."
The assisted-living center is still a remote possibility, but city officials have voiced a number of concerns about placing the proposed care facility in the middle of a large commercial development where traffic, noise, light, privacy and accessibility could pose problems.
According to city documents, the modified rezoning plan calls for a 197,000-square-foot Wal-Mart store and a 128,484-square-foot Sam's Club plus other locations for smaller retail businesses.
Councilman Dave Plouzek commended Grosse Development for being "willing to do it right" and said the combined Jordan Landing project "is a dream come true for that area."
The first phase of Jordan Landing is under way, with the grand opening of a 24-screen Cinemark theater complex scheduled for Nov. 15-19. Restaurants will begin to open soon after that, Harrison told the council.
Council members approved the rezoning by a 6-0 vote with Councilman David Newton abstaining because of a potential conflict of interest. Councilman Jay Bowcutt, whose company is laying carpet for Grosse Development on the existing Jordan Landing project, declared a possible conflict but voted anyway.