Commission endorses Kimbells Junction design-standards amendment with canal trail requirement

The Draper City Planning Commission on March 12 forwarded a positive recommendation to the City Council for an amendment to the Kimbells Junction development agreement (to be called Kimbell Station) that adopts design standards and a concept plan for roughly 21 acres adjacent to the Kimballs Lane station.

Staff explained the amendment preserves the previously adopted density range (25–27 units per acre), includes a mix of three- and four-story condominium buildings and three-story townhomes, and integrates a public trail along the East Jordan Canal and efforts to preserve existing trees. The amendment modifies certain standards for this transit-oriented development (TOD): proposed building heights up to 54 feet (subject to DA limits), reduced required open space from 30% to 25%, narrower driveway and parking dimensions in places, and a 10-foot setback from public roadways while using a pedestrian network that connects buildings and amenities.

Edge Homes general counsel Paxton Guyman confirmed the applicant’s commitment to the canal trail and said Edge would add a sentence in the body of the development agreement clarifying that the trail will be installed and dedicated to the city when completed. Paxton also discussed a staff request that the applicant provide a half cul-de-sac at the end of 119 South to resolve an existing turnaround deficiency; the applicant asked the commission to permit the council-level review of off-site exaction or impact-fee credit if the city insists on that construction.

Commissioners pressed for clear language ensuring the canal trail is an explicit DA obligation; staff and the applicant agreed to add that item to the body of the agreement. Commissioners also asked staff to include three specific DA clarifications (right-of-way dedication and public improvements language, and a permit for limited staff-authorized technical adjustments) when this item moves to council.

The commission’s positive recommendation included those staff-recommended clarifications and an explicit sentence requiring installation and dedication of the canal trail to the city; the motion passed unanimously. The DA also continues provisions from the earlier rezoning, including a workforce-housing component in which the city and developer had previously agreed on buy-down assistance for a set number of units.