By Darrell Kirby | [email protected]

The West Valley City Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a change of zoning for a plot of land in the northwestern corner of the city that could pave the way for the construction of a proposed high-density senior housing development. 

By a 5-2 vote, the commission in May approved rezoning 6.72 acres of vacant property at 7147 W. Parkway Blvd. from agricultural to “multiple-unit dwelling residential.” Some residents of nearby single-family homes opposed the change, saying the area is not suited for the additional people, traffic, and parking needs the development could bring. 

Randy Moore, owner of Sandy-based Moore Homes, is seeking to build 43 single-level condominiums, to be named Parkway Villas, for purchase by people 55 and older. He said prices would start at $500,000. Nearly 6.5 units of one to three bedrooms each would be constructed on each acre of what is now a site of dirt and weeds that was once planned to be the location of a future meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The proposal also includes a pavilion and gazebo, pickleball court, 11 visitor parking spaces, and would be maintained by a homeowners association. “The development, I believe, would have a very low impact on existing homes,” Moore said. “These types of communities, 55 and older, generate much lower car trips and traffic.” 

Robert Goodick, who lives on Antelope Road on the south side of the proposed project, said it’s out of place among the current single-family homes on larger lots. “I just think it’s way too dense. I feel it would encroach on the space that we would have as single-family residents in this area.” 

Homeowner Leah Wright on nearby Mountain Goat Way concurred, pointing to several existing senior housing developments nearby, including the recently built 81-unit Bingham Point a block south. “I would ask for this to be turned down so that we can have single-family homes in this area.” 

Moore said traffic concerns would be mitigated by having just one entrance to the development from Parkway Boulevard rather than residential Antelope Road or busy 7200 West. 

“We feel this would be a great addition to the neighborhood and West Valley City,” Moore said. 

“I just don’t think it’s what we need at this intersection at this point in time,” Goodick countered. 

Planning commissioners Martell Winters and Matthew Lovato downplayed concerns about traffic congestion with the new development. Cindy Wood sided with neighbors. “I feel like there’s a great need in our city for single-family homes. I’d like to see it developed for single-family.”  

In the end, most commissioners granted the zone change. 

Opponents will have another chance to nix the project when the zone change goes to the city council for a final decision at an upcoming meeting.