Riverton Planning Commission Meeting May 28, 2026

The Riverton City Planning Commission convened at approximately 6:30 PM on May 28, 2026, at Riverton City Hall. The commission unanimously approved four items: a conditional use permit for a home‑based cake business, a final commercial site plan for an office building, a lot line amendment, and an amendment to add electric vehicle charging stations at Walmart. They also approved the minutes from the previous meeting and discussed required annual training for commissioners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Meracakess LLC (2a): Randy Staples, a nearby condo owner, asked whether the applicant was the owner or tenant, expressed concern about parking congestion, asked if the delivery vehicle would carry advertising, and questioned whether the HOA had approved a commercial business. The applicant (through an interpreter) confirmed she is the homeowner, has HOA approval, and that customers would park in the driveway.
• Compass Insurance (2b): No oral public comments were offered at the hearing. Staff noted that written comments had been received questioning the dumpster location.
• River Haven Lot Line (2c): No public comments.
• Walmart EV Stations (2d): No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Meracakess LLC – Home Occupation (2a): Planner Lisa Halversen presented the application for Ademarys Ramirez to bake and sell specialty cakes from her townhome. The business would involve online orders with pickup or delivery; no more than three cakes per day were anticipated. Two emailed comments and one phone call raised traffic and parking concerns. The applicant agreed to schedule pickups one at a time and require customers to park in the driveway. Commissioners asked about HOA approval (received), guest parking availability (yes), and signage (at applicant’s discretion, subject to HOA rules). The business had not yet started.
• Compass Insurance – Final Site Plan (2b): Planner Tim Prestwich detailed the staff review process: setbacks met, seven‑foot boundary strip, parking exceeds requirement by one stall, ADA compliance, lighting with no off‑site spill, and landscaping meeting 20 trees per acre. An eight‑foot masonry wall will buffer adjacent residential properties. The dumpster location (not dictated by ordinance) was discussed; moving it would lose parking. The applicant, Laurel Bevans (RDGM Construction) and business owner Courtney Jensen (insurance agency), stated UDOT denied a right‑in/right‑out request and approved full access. Chair Park questioned left turns across three lanes in a school zone. Commissioners noted the need for office space in old Riverton and supported the project.
• River Haven Amended Lot Line (2c): Prestwich explained that a state code change now requires Planning Commission approval for boundary adjustments. The recorded lot line did not match the existing fence; the adjacent neighbors agreed to move the line to match the fence while meeting minimum lot size and setbacks. Applicant Dylan Tolley said the issue came to light when he applied for a garage permit. The commission found the proposal straightforward.
• Walmart EV Charging Stations (2d): Prestwich presented an amendment to add four Level 3 chargers (eight stalls) near Hamilton View Drive. ADA accessibility required a walking path to the store. Existing trees would be retained; a late‑submitted landscape plan replaced sod with rock, shrubs, and water‑wise planting to screen equipment. Commissioner Matheson asked about payment (fee required) and connector types (to be provided). Chair Park objected to the large blue charging stations used at other Walmarts and insisted the stations match the more discreet model shown in the application. The applicant, Joanna Graham (Kimley‑Horn), confirmed the blue color is Walmart’s standard but agreed to install the unit depicted in the plans. The commission required that the aesthetic presented be adhered to.
• Minutes (3a): The minutes of May 14, 2026, were approved unanimously.
• Planning Commissioner Training: City Attorney Ryan Carter noted that required annual training (four hours) had not been publicly noticed on the agenda but would be addressed at the next meeting. He directed commissioners to review two online videos and promised to distribute advisory opinions from the Utah Private Property Rights Ombudsman. Commissioners who had trouble accessing their official city email were to contact IT.

Key Outcomes

All motions passed unanimously with specific conditions:

• Meracakess LLC (PLZ‑26‑2022): Approved subject to conditions including compliance with city home occupation ordinance, obtaining a business license, state health approvals, limiting use of main floor to 25%, and requiring scheduled pickups with driveway parking.
• Compass Insurance (PLZ‑26‑8001): Approved subject to 11 conditions including consistency with presented plans, correcting staff redlines, 20 trees per acre, lighting and mechanical screening, storm drainage requirements (off‑site pond built before occupancy), and a long‑term storm water management plan.
• River Haven Subdivision Amendment (PLZ‑25‑1009): Approved subject to conditions that the amended lot layout match the presented plans and that the final plat be recorded with Salt Lake County.
• Walmart EV Charging Stations (PLZ‑26‑8019): Approved subject to conditions that site improvements match the presented plans, existing trees be protected, landscaping be installed as presented, and the charging stations match the aesthetic illustration in the application.