Junction Commons Rezone Proposal Seeks Mixed-Use Revamp in Summit County

This article covers a recent decision by the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission regarding Junction Commons in Kimball Junction. The commission gave a favorable 6-1 recommendation to pursue a rezone and redevelopment into a mixed-use community.

This move lays the groundwork for a substantial infill project that would transform the center’s layouts and surrounding traffic dynamics. The plan, proposed by Singerman Real Estate, includes a shift from retail to a combination of housing and commercial space.

Affordable housing components are included within the project.

Junction Commons: A Bold Move Toward Mixed-Use Redevelopment

The proposal would rezone the site to Summit County’s NMU-1 (neighborhood mixed-use). Junction Commons would be the first property to secure this designation.

The plan envisions demolishing the upper loop of stores to create 433 housing units. This includes 42 townhomes and three apartment buildings, along with a clubhouse and recreation space.

The lower loop’s parking area would be replaced by nine buildings. These would house 54,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 77 apartments above.

This mix aims to create a walkable, live-work-play environment. The goal is to reduce vehicle miles traveled and support local commerce.

Developers emphasized that this is redevelopment, not greenfield development. A notable aspect is the proposed removal of nearly 100,000 square feet of existing commercial space.

The aim is to lower overall vehicle demand and shift activity toward a denser, mixed-use setting. If approved, Junction Commons could serve as a model for NMU-1 zoning in Summit County.

Project Scope and Zoning Details

Key components of the redevelopment include:

• 433 housing units total, with 42 townhomes and three apartment buildings
• A clubhouse and recreation space integrated into the residential component
• Nine lower-loop buildings with 54,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space
• 77 apartment units located above the lower-loop commercial buildings
• First-time achievement of Summit County’s NMU-1 zoning designation for a project

The project’s zoning path is central to the planning discussion. The NMU-1 designation targets neighborhood-scale mixed-use development that can support transit-oriented neighborhoods.

This would mark the first time this zoning category is secured in Summit County. It signals a potential shift in how the county approaches redevelopment near Kimball Junction and nearby growth corridors.

Traffic, Context, and the Regional Outlook

Commissioners highlighted the need for traffic mitigation that accounts for nearby large developments, including a Dakota Pacific Real Estate project and continued growth around the Utah Olympic Park.

Commissioner Eric Sagerman urged contextual review, stressing the cumulative traffic impact of multiple developments. He called for a regional traffic study to guide infrastructure investments.

The discussion noted that a concentrated mixed-use project could shift transportation demand. However, it must be balanced with surrounding growth in the corridor.

Commissioner Tim Jeffrey was the lone dissenter. He argued the proposal is too large for the site and could affect traffic flow and neighborhood character.

The developers responded that the project would redevelop an existing center, not create a new footprint. This aligns with the intent of NMU-1 to encourage intensification of urban areas while preserving open space elsewhere.

Affordable Housing and Next Steps

As a condition of approval, three of the 42 townhomes must be affordable to avoid segregating affordable units from market-rate housing. NMU-1 typically requires that half the units be affordable, but allows phased reductions if affordable units are built first.

The developers propose to build affordable units first. This aims to promote social equity within the redevelopment while preserving market-rate options for a diverse tenant mix.

The project will proceed to the Summit County Council for a public hearing and final determination. A specific council hearing date has not yet been set.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Junction Commons seeks revamp, rezone as mixed-use development