The most contested five acres in Park City: where do you stand?

Bonanza Five-Acre Site viewed from Munchkin Road. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — The future of Park City’s city-owned Five-Acre Site remains sharply contested as the Planning Commission continues its review of a proposed mixed-use redevelopment at Bonanza Drive and Kearns Boulevard.

Wednesday’s planning commission meeting drew a large crowd, with individual residents largely speaking against the proposal while a number of supporters spoke on behalf of local organizations and community groups.

The meeting was part of the Planning Commission’s ongoing review of the Five-Acre Site, with commissioners focused on the proposed building heights and traffic impacts, two issues that have become central to the debate over the project. Commissioners did not vote on the proposal. Another public hearing will be held on Aug. 26, when the commission could take final action or continue the review to Sept. 9.

A proposed mix of housing, businesses, and public space

The city is partnering with Brinshore Development on a proposal that would include seven buildings totaling about 185,500 square feet on the roughly five-acre lot. The project calls for 106 rental housing units — 88 of them affordable — along with more than 30,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, café, and nonprofit arts space.

Plans also include a childcare center, underground parking with 280 spaces, community green spaces and plazas, an amphitheater, playground, arts pavilion, public art, and multi-use pathways.

The site has a complicated history. Park City purchased the property for $19 million in 2017, initially envisioning an arts and culture-focused development that included the Kimball Art Center and Sundance Institute. The city restarted its planning process for the property when both Sundance adn the Kimball Art Center announced relocations.

The current proposal reflects a broader mix of priorities, including affordable housing, arts and cultural uses, commercial space, and public gathering areas.

But the proposal has also generated organized opposition from residents who argue the property should instead remain primarily open space or be developed at a lower intensity.

Height and traffic at the center of debate

Building scale has been one of the most contentious elements of the proposal.

The site’s zoning generally limits building heights to 35 feet, although certain affordable housing developments can qualify for greater heights. The Five-Acre Site proposal includes buildings that require exceptions as part of the approval process.

Opponents have questioned whether the proposed buildings are too large for the surrounding neighborhood and whether the amount of development is consistent with the community’s vision for the property.

Traffic has emerged as another major concern.

The development would bring housing, restaurants, retail, arts uses and other activity to the intersection of Kearns Boulevard and Bonanza Drive. During Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners examined traffic and circulation issues associated with the proposal and what improvements may be needed to accommodate the development.

Supporters, meanwhile, have pointed to the site’s location near existing transit, pedestrian and bicycle connections and argued that the project could provide housing and community amenities in a central location.

Opposition has grown around open space

Opposition to the proposal has become increasingly organized in recent months.

PLACE Park City, a group formed in response to the redevelopment plans, has called for the city to reconsider the project and preserve more of the property as open space. Critics have questioned whether the green space included in the current proposal would function as a meaningful public park given the amount of development surrounding it.

Recently, PLACE Park City has been gathering signatures for a petition to halt the proposal.

What’s next

The Planning Commission will continue its review during a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 26.

The commission could take final action on the proposal at that meeting or continue the matter to Sept. 9. Additional meetings could also be scheduled.

Ultimately, the project will move to the City Council for a decision.

As the debate continues, TownLift wants to know where residents and readers stand on the future of the Five-Acre Site.