Council members voiced questions and concerns about the proposed University Area Plan and elected to send it back to the council’s Planning and Development Committee for further discussion.
The plan, which would serve as a policy document and wouldn’t carry the force of law, would recommend ways to guide the growth of the area around HPU.
One aspect of the plan that has generated discussion is whether new campus development should be contiguous to the school’s existing boundaries. Last month, in response to concerns from HPU officials, the Planning and Zoning Commission changed the wording of the document to read that such development “should” rather than “must” be contiguous.
Based on feedback, city staff also revised the wording of the document to strengthen requirements of the university to mitigate impacts on adjacent properties. The commission unanimously recommended approval of the plan. Since 2004, HPU has added about 46 acres to its campus and has expressed a need for an additional 20 to 25 acres in the next three to six years.
Don Scarborough, vice president of community relations for HPU, reiterated concerns voiced to the commission last month, such as the plan’s discouragement of the demolition of residential homes purchased by the university, but expressed overall support for the document.
“We do think this is a good guide for us and the city over time,” he said.
During a public hearing on the plan, Fifth Court resident Mitchell Whitaker spoke against it, explaining that he and two of his neighbors are in the first phase of potential campus expansion and already have endured negative effects from recent construction.
“Our main concern is that the university should own whole blocks before they request a rezoning,” he said. “We’re all willing to sell our homes, but a fair or suitable offer (from HPU) has not been made.”
pkimbrough@hpe.com | 888-3531
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