COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Tavaci developer Terry Diehl has proposed limiting building heights and commercial shops on his property at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, but both he and a committee of residents say the idea is just a "starting point."
The Tavaci group had its chance Tuesday to respond to a recent report by residents who recommended against hotels and commercial on the site and said a proposed zone was wrong for the project.
Allowing four-story buildings at lower elevations within the project would result in less view degradation, from the point of view of the valley, according to Tavaci representatives Troy Sanders and Tim Soffe of Allred Soffe Wilkinson & Nichols Inc.
"It's pretty much hidden," Soffe told the Cottonwood Heights City Council, referring to the 47-acre plateau. "That bluff hides the level portion of the site."
But the engineers also proposed shops such as a spa, restaurant or ski shop in a four-story clubhouse that would serve Tavaci residents.
Four stories, or about 50 feet, would be the maximum height of structures except those nearest the ridge line, which would reach only 25 feet from grade to the point of the roof.
"I think it's a big compromise that we're divvying up views," Diehl said.
The developer added that in giving up high-priced views, he hopes to gain total square footage, which Soffe estimated at a total 1.28 million square feet. Diehl might also allow for short-term rentals of penthouses and flats within the project but said he would follow the lead of city officials on the matter.
Cottonwood Heights resident Gordon Walker, who led the residents group, had harsh words for Soffe's math after Tuesday's meeting. However, Walker said the new proposal is an excellent improvement on the 43 estate lots currently allowed on the property.
For neighbor Roger Kehr, however, Diehl shouldn't be given any special perks. Kehr wants the land developed to look like land across Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, where he and Diehl live.
Kehr also brought up concerns about Diehl's involvement in Draper with the Utah Transit Authority, where Diehl sits on the board, and the developer's behind-the-scenes interactions with former Cottonwood Heights City Councilman Bruce Jones, UTA's attorney.
"He's not for the good of the people," Kehr said of Jones. "He's for the good of Terry Diehl."
e-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com