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It’s back to the drawing board for Olympia Hills development

Posted at 2:46 PM, Jun 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-19 16:46:00-04

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake County Council will not override Mayor Ben McAdams’ veto of the controversial Olympia Hills development.

In a statement Tuesday, Council Chairwoman Aimee Winder-Newton said the decision was based on public feedback.

“We are deeply grateful to the residents and city leaders who have worked with the county on this issue to raise valid questions and concerns,” she wrote. “It’s important that decisions regarding growth, development, and rezoning should take into account transportation, water, and other issues to ensure that our growth doesn’t outpace our infrastructure.”

Last week, Mayor McAdams vetoed the council’s approval even as they had contemplating rescinding their original vote for the project. Residents had been drafting a ballot referendum and pressuring political leaders to abandon the project.

The Olympia Hills development near Herriman would allow for 9,000 housing units to be built on roughly 900 acres of land. Residents have complained it is too big for the area and nearby community leaders complained it would overburden the existing infrastructure.

The veto does not halt any development in the area, but sends the project back to the drawing board in terms of zoning and what would be approved to be built in the Herriman area.