FARMINGTON—On March 16, after a public hearing, the Farmington City Council moved to enable an ordinance that would change the zoning for a parcel of land at 1525 West and Clark Lane from Agricultural Estates to R-8. This ordinance follows city planning commission approval of the developer’s final master plan on March 4, 2021.

The land is intended to be the site of a multifamily residential project called Fiore Townhomes. Minutes from the March 4 Farmington City planning commission state that in 2000, “The parcel in question today was considered to be a location for commercial support and services. Twenty years after that development agreement, with consideration of Farmington’s changed economic and community needs, the applicant has proposed placing 30 townhomes on this corner.”

Under Farmington City law, the townhome project would not be able to move forward without the rezoning ordinance.

According to an addendum to the council meeting agenda, written by city planner Shannon Haskell, the city council approved the zone change on Oct. 27, 2020 “with the condition that the zone change enabling ordinance would not be approved prior to approval” of the project’s final plans.

Haskell walked the city council through the detailed plans during the March 16 meeting to show the proposed development features, such as water and gas lines. According to the plans, “all common areas and drainage facilities/infrastructures are to be maintained by the homeowners association” rather than the city.

Planning commission meeting records state that there’s a water easement on the north part of the proposed development. To minimize the water usage, developer Jacob Ballstaedt said he plans to use “‘local-scape,’ or planting drought-resistant plants native to the area.”

“There’s actually a really well-done landscape plan,” said Haskell, pointing out a page in the plans where proposed trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, and turf sod are listed by name. The page also includes brief instructions for planting or staking the trees, shrubs, and perennials.

The ordinance took effect immediately upon the city council’s approval. 

Ballstaedt said at the planning commission meeting that he would like to break ground on the new townhomes in April.