Approval of the R-3 conditional overlay zone included a revised development concept.

Developer Steve Diamond revised his concept plans to address neighborhood concerns. A draft proposal by Diamond includes cutting the number of townhomes to 32 to appease opposition to high-density living in the area.

A maximum height of two stories is being implemented, as well as overflow parking on the property to avoid an excess of street parking along 900 North.

Hyer commended Diamond for showing goodwill toward the neighborhood by attending community meetings, listening to residents’ concerns and working with them to find a solution.

“That was a really good model that I think other developers hopefully will follow,” he said.

The area surrounding 550 E. 900 North, former property of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a peninsula of different zones.

The rezone from single-family dwellings to multi-family dwellings creates a constant pattern defining zone separation while creating a buffer for abutting single-family homes.

With the church building having been demolished, the development of the property can move forward with the approved rezone. Diamond said he has tried to repurpose and salvage as much of the building as he could, selling tables and chairs to other churches in the area at $1 apiece.