 |
|
|
New Saratoga Springs Legacy Farms Development a "Bait and Switch," some City Council Members say May 24, 2014, 8:31 amLegacy Farms is the first project to be developed under the "Planned Community Zone." This zone was created a few years ago as part of an agreement between the City of Saratoga Springs and Property Reserve, Inc., the development arm of the LDS Church. The LDS Church currently owns over 1,000 acres of farmland in the city and has plans to develop the land in phases over time. The Legacy Farms acreage sits just north of the Saratoga Springs Development (SSD). In 2013, the development's builder, DR Horton, held an open house meeting where nearby residents could learn about Legacy Farms and look at architectural renderings. The plans showed a mix of townhomes, single-family homes, and community amenities, two of those being a clubhouse and pool. At a May 6 work session, however, councilmembers Michael McOmber and Shellie Baertsch expressed disappointment and frustration when DR Horton presented its first village plan for Legacy Farms. The developer reported that the pool and clubhouse were being replaced with parkway areas with an option for the city to install a splash pad and skate park facilities. The DR Horton representative also noted that some neighborhood areas would have increased density but no apartment buildings would be built. At this point, city staff reminded city councilmembers that the Planned Community Zone gives DR Horton significant latitude in overall project density and required amenities. When asked why the clubhouse and pool had been eliminated from the plan, the DR Horton representative stated that he felt the size of clubhouse and pool originally planned for Legacy Farms would not be adequate for the development's population and that those amenities were not what buyers were looking for. Councilman Michael McOmber reminded the developer that he had made promises to residents who came to the open house, promises of certain amenities that included a clubhouse and pool. If the residents knew of these changes, he warned, there would be 150 people here at this meeting. He went on to say that SSD's pool serves 800 homes adequately (Legacy Farms will have 740 homes). I will be telling residents of these changes, McOmber resolved, and he suggested DR Horton host another open house with the modified plans on display. Councilwoman Shellie Baertsch shared similar concerns. She encouraged the developer to strongly reconsider the clubhouse. HOA's this large need somewhere to meet, she stated, lamenting that she lived in Harvest Hills, an HOA neighborhood with no clubhouse. It is easy for you eliminate the clubhouse now, as the developer, but the situation will be frustrating for residents later on, she surmised. After encouraging DR Horton to reconsider project amenities, Baertsch warned that if the plan did not more closely resemble what was shown to residents, then she would be more closely scrutinizing every part of their plan moving forward--from fencing requirements, parking stall dimensions, and trail requirements to make sure that every obligation was met. Not all councilmembers were upset by the changes. Poduska was unmoved, stating that people coming to live at Legacy Farms won't know about the initial plans for a clubhouse or a pool. He thought the development would be a showplace of Saratoga Springs. A public hearing for the Legacy Farms Village Plan will be held at the Planning Commission meeting June 12. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2025 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
