Council moves closer to allowing highrises

By Matt Brabb
Connection Editor
The Payson Town Council took another step toward amending the town’s unified development code (UDC) to allow for taller structures during its regular council meeting last Thursday.

A first reading and public hearing was held on an ordinance that would alter the limitations on building heights currently in place. At this time, those limits stand at 35 feet for livable space.

The limit will remain at 35 feet for structures built within 75 feet of single family residential zoned properties (R1). That limitation would be in force regardless of the zoning district the proposed new structure stands on.

The proposed change to the UDC would allow for the construction of buildings of up to 45 feet in multifamily, commercial, and industrial zoned areas. Developers would, however, be able to petition the town’s planning and zoning commission to allow for an additional 25 percent in height, which would actually cap building heights at 56 feet.

The new limits will not allow for the seven story buildings that were initially discussed when the council took the matter up last September. At that time, acting Community Development Director Ray Erlandsen talked about changing the limits to accommodate for structures of up to 75 feet in height. The potential for seven story buildings in Payson quickly caused a stir in the community. It would appear that the new limit will allow for buildings of five or possibly six stories, but only if certain conditions are met.

If the ordinance passes, for a developer to gain approval from the planning and zoning commission to go above the 45 foot limit, the following considerations would have to be taken into account: Visual impact on ridgelines/skylines, height relative to the centerline of adjacent roadways, preservation of native vegetation, scale of adjacent development, elimination of slum or blight, privacy of adjacent property owners, distance of the proposed building to the edge of the property, benefit to the community, and location and size of the land parcel.

Several members of the community spoke at the public hearing regarding the proposed changes. Because this was the first reading, council members were not allowed to comment on what they were hearing, or answer questions.

Vice-Mayor Mike Vogel, filling in for Mayor Kenny Evans, took pains to explain to members of the public that the council was not being rude in its silence; councilors simply weren’t allowed to comment on what they were hearing.

Opinions both for and against the proposed change were expressed by the public.

Resident Jeanie Langham lamented the potential loss of views and small town feel that taller buildings might bring.

“If this is about building housing for lower income residents, it is the wrong way to go about it,” she said, adding, “Lower income residents need to be integrated into a community, not segregated from it.”

Commercial Realtor Bob McQueen spoke in favor of the measure, noting that the current Payson administration is far more aggressive about trying to bring in development than those in years past.

“In the past, developers have turned their back on Payson,” he said. “We didn’t have a friendly town hall.”

After McQueen spoke, another resident rose to argue against the ordinance.

“I used to live in Fountain Hills, and when they got done building taller buildings there, I could look out and see nothing but roofs.”

Others spoke in favor of the construction if it was limited to specific areas.

“Progress is progress,” said Bill Powers, “but it seems strange to be talking about more buildings when we have so many empty storefronts now.”

In a memo from Payson Fire Chief Martin DeMasi to Erlandsen, DeMasi noted that the potential impact of the larger structures on the efforts of first responders at emergencies should be taken under consideration.

“Currently the fire department has seven personnel on duty, responding with two engines and a battalion chief. These units are equipped with ground ladders capable of servicing buildings not over three stories in height. Additional reach is available from an unstaffed ladder truck, which will be staffed by off-duty personnel responding from their homes. Additionally, the fire department receives support in the form of manpower and equipment from smaller neighboring departments that are primarily volunteer in nature. Due to the distance of Payson from any other notable population center, a significant delay for additional support is virtually unavoidable,” he wrote.

The resolution will next be considered by the council on April 15, when it will be on the agenda as an action item.