Variance And Rezoning Are Approved For Split-Rock Falls Complex In Taylor

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By Naomi Hatch
    Split-Rock Falls Complex, located on Main Street in Taylor, is preparing to start construction on a pro-ject that will offer commercial and residential space, including apartments.  A major tenant would like the developer to get started on the building, which will be located near the waterfall.
    The complex was granted Mixed Use (MU) zoning at the June 14, 2006, council meeting, but because they did not begin construction within a year, the zoning reverted back to commercial, which was the origi-nal zoning.
    Kevin Brimhall was present at the Feb. 27 Taylor Council meeting to request the property be rezoned MU zoning.  The Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the zone change at its Feb. 19 meeting.
    Brimhall said, “We will be sticking with the red and white pioneer theme,” and there will be a waterfall by split rock. He said there would be adequate parking, and that all drainage issues have been addressed by an engineer.
    They have access from the front and a road that will come out on Casa Linda Drive, according to Brim-hall. He also noted that there is nothing planned at this time for Palmer Hill.
    The council met as the Taylor Board of Adjustments to hear a request for a variance for front setbacks for the project.  
    Brimhall explained that they would like 15’ front setbacks for aesthetics rather than the required 50’ setback. He said that all parking will be in the back of the building.  
    Brimhall was not sure if the old A-Z welding building would be completely taken down, explaining that it would depend on the architect, but he felt because of its age, it would be torn down.
    He did have an architectural rendering of the building, which will be 20’ longer than the existing build-ing and will feature a clock tower that plays music.
    The board unanimously approved the variance request and the council OK’d the rezone request.
    In other business, Town Manager Eric Duthie reported that staff members continue to coordinate efforts concerning the Wal-Mart intersection. He said that a grant was obtained from the state to subsidize the de-velopment of the intersection for Wal-Mart and businesses that will be within that area.  Because of the delays Wal-Mart has experienced, it was necessary to extend the deadline for completion of the intersection work to May 1, 2009.  Duthie said there was some discussion of whether the work should be done on the Wal-Mart side or the other side of the street, explaining that funds can be used for either side of the street. He further explained that the state has granted an extension, but it needed council approval, which the council gave unanimously.
    Due to the Snowflake-Taylor Schools’ spring break, scheduled March 24-28, Mayor John Cole had suggested they cancel the March 26 council meeting. Assistant Town Manager Paul Poczobut expressed concern with the suggestion because a liquor license request for the Taylor Country Store located in the Wal-Mart complex would need to be heard after a 20-day notice, which would be after the regular meeting of March 11, and Taylor’s response must be submitted by April 1. The council agreed to hold only one meeting in March, and that would be on March 19.
    There was discussion on a steering committee that would be organized to gather information on the proposed consolidation of Taylor and Snowflake.  This item was discussed at the previous council meeting, when council members were asked to bring names of prospective committee members to the next meeting. The suggested names were Bonnie Adams, Helen Capps, Karl Collett, Don Shumway, Mark Reed and Gary Solomon.
    Because this item had not yet been discussed by the Snowflake Town Council, it was noted that if both towns were not working on this, it would likely go nowhere.
    Duthie also pointed out that if they committed to do this, they would be committing to give all informa-tion requested and it would need to be made public.  
    The council members unanimously approved a motion to table this item until such time that they know that Snowflake will be involved in the process.
    Duthie updated the council on the sewer treatment plant, explaining that the project has gone to bid, but noting that the bid process is extensive. He said there will be a pre-bid meeting on April 21, with bids due the end of July.