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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The City Council shot down plans Tuesday night for a controversial resort-style development proposed for the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
But it's unlikely Cottonwood Heights city leaders and residents have heard the end of the Tavaci project or its developer, Terry Diehl.
The council as a whole wants see that property developed, (but) we want to see it developed appropriately.
–Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore
"There is a significant investment in that project," Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore said.
Moments earlier, Cullimore joined the City Council in a unanimous vote to deny the creation of a zone that would have allowed for a resort-style community, with the possibility for hotels, condominiums, restaurants and shops.
"The council as a whole wants see that property developed," Cullimore said. "(But) we want to see it developed appropriately."
A vocal group of residents who have opposed a high-density project in the mouth of the canyon say the property should remain zoned for residential use. Council members Tuesday agreed that neither commercial nor high-density development is appropriate for the property.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Canyon Resort Residential zone in August 2009, but the City Council hadn't formally acted on the issue until Tuesday.
Part of the reason for the delay, Cullimore said, is the City Council was unable to agree on key elements of the zone.
"It was virtually impossible to find a consensus among the council to make this ordinance a reality," the mayor said.
Related:
Controversial land developer also a delinquent taxpayer
One of Utah's most controversial developers, Terry Diehl, also nears the top of a list of delinquent taxpayers in Salt Lake County.The City Council's action opens the door for Diehl to seek a disconnection from Cottonwood Heights and become part of unincorporated Salt Lake County.
Diehl and attorney Bruce Baird refused to answer questions Tuesday night about the City Council's decision or future plans for the project.
In 2004, the Salt Lake County Council approved Tavaci development, which then included 43 lots for large, luxury homes. The property became part of Cottonwood Heights when the city incorporated in 2005.
The economic downturn caused Diehl to revise his plans for the land and propose a mixed-use, resort-style development. The proposal met immediate resistance from residents, who bristled at the idea of multi-unit dwellings being built in the mouth of the canyon.
The City Council didn't allow any public comment on the issue Tuesday night, saying it heard plenty of feedback from residents during a June 28 hearing.
At that meeting, Baird presented revised plans for the development that he said addressed council members' and residents' concerns about structure heights, density, views and access.
Council members Tuesday said those revisions did not adequately address their concerns.
The council's decision came one day after the Deseret News and KSL-TV revealed that Diehl hasn't paid taxes on lots in the Tavaci development since 2008. According to Salt Lake County property-tax records, Diehl owes more than $940,000 on the lots.
The City Council did not mention Diehl's property tax delinquency during Tuesday's meeting.
Email:jpage@ksl.com
