The City Council approved the master plan for a high density apartment development on the south west corner of Park and Clark Lanes.  The plan allows for up to 191 apartment units, restaurant, offices, and a credit union.  The site is less than 13 acres.  This puts the density of apartments in the range of 14-20 units per acre.

This plan was originally denied by the City Council back in August.  After a lawsuit, threats from the ACLU, and a limit of units to 191 the City Council approved the plan 3 votes to 2.

The Salt Lake Tribune as an article about it, "Farmington OKs development near FrontRunner station".

Since the approval was just for a master plan America West, the developer, won't actually be doing the building of the structures.  They will sell off the appropriate pieces to be built by apartment rental companies, credit union, restaurant, etc.  The actual look of the buildings will be determined by the folks who will own them.  Back in August America West indicated that the apartments could be 7 buildings of 24 units each.

Will West Farmington see more high density developments like this?  Time will tell as the City Council has just passed new zoning ordinances for the 240 acres around Station Park.  For those with access the Standard Examiner has an online article about the new zoning: "Zoning takes center stage in ?Farmington"

The Standard-Examiner's Michele Howey reports in an article today that Ron Martinez of America West is suing Farmington City.  You can see the article here:  Developer sues Farmington over 'backroom deal' denial.

Back on August 5th the City council denied Ron's application to master plan 12 acres in west Farmington for high density apartments.  More information on that meeting is here and here.  A dozen or so citizens commented at that meeting.  From the proceedings there was obvious tension between the developer's team and the City Council.  The developer and team made its opinion clear that the City had an a

Ron Martinez has been on record beore for having issues with Farmington officials.  Here is the article: "Developer opposes Farmington’s closed-door meetings".

 

CenterCal held their "official groundbreaking" event yesterday for Station Park.  Deseret News reports on it here: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700250697,00.html

No real new information but this is the first time anything about an ice skating rink has been mentioned.

Michele Howey does a good job reporting on what happened Tuesday night at the Farmington City Council meeting.  You can read the article here:  "America West Blocked".  She quotes Ron Martinez as saying in response to the concerns residents have for high density apartments, "I appreciate your fears, but we've assembled a heck of a team to create value in the community, as well as for our investors." 

Ron seems to use the word "value" loosely in this context.  For this project to gain even a small percentage of public support the "value" to the community has to at least match that of the value to his investors.  The value equation he presented was severely lopsided in favor of the investors.

 

Deseret News also reports on the Station Park development here in Farmington Utah.  This is no surprise that DNews has published this article as the SLTrib and the Clipper have already reported on this in the last week.  Here is the Deseret News article:  Farmington project to break ground.

The article does add some new information about the tenant mix:  "Cinemark movie theater, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, J.C. Penney, Ross, Staples, Petco, Lane Bryant, Sports Authority and Bed, Bath & Beyond, all within walking distance of the FrontRunner parking lot."  This is a first we have seen Petco and Sports Authority as named tenants in published media.  You can see the whole list of tenants here:  Updated Station park Site Plan

Interesting how the article highlights opinions on how close the development is to residential neighborhoods.  Mr. Dougherty uses the words "within walking distance".  There is concern that getting in and out of the development will not be pedestrian friendly.  This probably has more to do with the City getting its act together than the fault of the development.  Hopefully the City will put sidewalks all along Clark Lane especially west of Park Lane.   

Currently the FrontRunner Station cannot be accessed by foot.  The main access road to the station explicitly states no to foot traffic.  They weren't kidding when they called FrontRunner a commuter train.  The only authorized way to get there is by hopping on wheels.  Hopefully the City and CenterCal will work together to make pedestrian access from west residential neighborhoods a reality.

The Clipper is running an article on Station Park today: "Station Park ‘unlike anything else in Utah’".  This article is similar to the SL Tribune's article reported on earlier: SLTrib Reports on Farmington's Station Park. CenterCal must be making a PR push by inviting "officials" to check out the model on the heals of a August 13th ground breaking ceremony.

The image included with the Clipper article is of a model that doesn't model the entire development.  You will notice there isn't depicted the big box retail strip of buildings that border the east side of the development.  This big box element of the development isn't touted very much in the media and by CenterCal.  Showing yet another big box retail development isn't going to get much attention.  However when things start to get built the big box retail is going to be a major part of the visual experience and a detraction.  Everyone needs to keep in check the reality of what this development is as a whole.  Yes, there are nice elements of the development but a two acre park will not offset the eye sore of hundreds of thousands of square feet of big box retail.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports today on the Station Park development here in Farmington, Utah.  "Davis County city plans shopping, offices, town-square adjacent to commuter rail station".

The article gives an idea of what is to be in the development:

"By spring 2010, Station Park will feature a main plaza with restaurants and shops on the main levels of 10 buildings, office space on the stories above, a hotel, 15-screen movie theater, performance pavilion and 2-acre park. Four other buildings to the north would include more office and retail space. To the west, 11 to 15 large retailers are planned."

If you look at the plot map of the development the "large retailers" will be on the east side of the development not the west as the Trib reported.

Farmingtoncitizens.org previously posted the list of possible tenets:  "Update Station Park Site Plan".    The list came directly from CenterCal's website.

Farmington's elected officials are real anxious to get retail development going in Farmington.  This project has been a major focus for Mayor Harbertson.  Hopefully Farmington's quest for sales tax revenue will not cloud their judgement in advocating a quality development.  Having JCPenny (rumored to be the largest tenant) as an anchor doesn't seem to put the developments retail pursuits on a good footing.  The 2 acre park and performance pavilion are nice touches though. 

Hopefully this development won't be a island in the City where Farmington residents will avoid going. Since there are no sidewalks leading to the development from west-side neighborhoods nearby residents may avoid piling kids into the car just to make the short drive.

CenterCal has posted to their website an updated site plan for the Station Park development. The prior version of the site plan was reported here: "New Site Plan from CenterCal for Station Park Development in Farmington"

This new site plan is dated May 5, 2008 and includes the following business:

• Best Buy
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Ulta
• Home Goods
• Ross Dress for Less
• JC Penny (Main Anchor)
• Famous Footwear
• Lane Bryant
• Carters
• Staples
• Cinemark Theater (15 screens 2640 seats)
• Barnes and Nobel
• Hotel

The site plan also includes these non-retail features:

• Performance Pavillion
• Town Square Park

Here is a list of shops and restaurants no longer on the site plan (not to imply that won't ultimately be in the development):

• Whole Foods
• Target
• Old Navy
• Crate & Barrel
• ULTA
• DSW
• Cost Plus World Market
• Nordstrom Rack
• Claim Jumper

 

UTA has announce that April 26, 2008 will be opening day for Frontrunner. Here the press release: http://www.rideuta.com/mediaRoom/pressReleases.aspx?pressReleaseID=704

Deseret News reports that April 26, 28-30 there will be no fare to ride. May 1st fare will be required: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265038,00.html