Riverton City Planning Commission Meeting – February 27, 2025

The Riverton City Planning Commission met on February 27, 2025, at 1:30 PM (local time) to consider four items: a conditional use permit for a short-term rental, a final commercial site plan for a credit union, an amendment to add LED accent lighting to a car wash, and a public hearing on a rezone and development agreement for a proposed storage facility. All items were approved or continued as noted below.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Matt Yore, a resident on 4000 West, expressed concerns about existing traffic congestion on 4000 West and questioned how additional traffic from the proposed storage facility would be mitigated. He noted that traffic regularly exceeds the speed limit and that the intersection at 12600 South is dangerous.
• Jared Hamilton, a local business owner and neighboring self‑storage property owner, presented economic data arguing that the Riverton market is already oversaturated with storage units. He stated that within a four‑mile radius there are 11 storage facilities and 13.46 square feet per capita available, far exceeding the typical equilibrium of 6 square feet per capita. He noted his own occupancy had dropped from 95% to 64% after a nearby facility opened and warned that adding more storage would depress property values, discourage investment, and lead to blighted buildings. He expressed willingness to discuss residential development instead.

Discussion Items

• Short‑Term Rental (PLZ 25‑2005) – Staff reported that the applicants, Tim and Cinda Peary, own a split‑level home with an internal unit they wish to rent short‑term, allowing their adult children (in the Navy) to stay when not rented. No neighbor comments were received. Conditions included disclosure of advertising and a maximum of eight non‑permanent residents. The commission asked clarifying questions; Commissioner Matheson noted the military connection. The public hearing had no comments. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Hercules Credit Union Final Site Plan (PLZ 24‑8018) – The applicant (Brett Blackburn, CEO) seeks to build a standalone, single‑story credit union with a drive‑thru on a previously undeveloped pad near Walmart. Staff confirmed the plan meets code for setbacks, lot coverage, landscaping, and lighting. The building design incorporates brick and stone to match surrounding structures. The public hearing had no comment. Motion to approve with 11 conditions passed unanimously.
• Myler Car Wash LED Accent Lighting (PLZ 25‑8003) – The new owner, Mitch Myler, requested permission to add permanent accent lighting to the building face (facing 13400 South). Staff explained the recently adopted commercial holiday lighting code; the application allows year‑round display subject to a 10:00 PM curfew because residential units are within 100 feet. The applicant stated the lighting would be subtle and brighten the property. No public comment. Motion to approve with three conditions passed unanimously.
• McKenzie Development Agreement – Rezone and Redevelopment Agreement (PLZ 25‑4001 & 25‑601) – This item was previously discussed and was scheduled tonight only to receive public comment. Staff noted that the development agreement (rezoning 5.63 acres from R‑3 to CR for storage units) is not yet final; the commission will deliberate it at the March 13, 2025 meeting. Two members of the public testified (see above). Commissioners discussed traffic generation (staff estimated about 12 trips per day for a storage facility) and whether the market is already saturated. Commissioner Rushton raised questions about eventual road widening on 4000 West, building height limits, and the use of a development agreement to impose conditions not typical of a standard site plan. Staff indicated that height limits and setbacks will be addressed within the agreement. The commission voted to continue the public hearing to March 13, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• PLZ 25‑2005 (Short‑Term Rental) – Approved unanimously with conditions 1–6.
• PLZ 24‑8018 (Hercules Credit Union Site Plan) – Approved unanimously with conditions 1–11.
• PLZ 25‑8003 (Myler Car Wash Lighting) – Approved unanimously with conditions 1–3 (lighting to match plans, turn off by 10 PM, comply with commercial lighting code).
• PLZ 25‑4001 & 25‑601 (McKenzie Development Agreement) – Public hearing was continued to the March 13, 2025 planning commission meeting. A courtesy notice will be sent to the same notification area.
• The minutes of the February 13, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.