The commissioners gave tentative approval to the project in early January, then last week delayed a scheduled final vote on the issue and raised new concerns, leaving today's vote an unknown. At issue is the current shortage of industrial land in the region, the right of way for a major thoroughfare, and wetlands.

While some opponents of the project have argued that using industrial land for a retail development is a bad idea when there is a shortage of industrial land, proponents have argued that the cost to fully utilize the property in question is too expensive to recoup via industrial development, as wetlands cover 15 of the 20 acres and will have to be filled and recreated somewhere else.

But the biggest issue at this point seems to be the right of way for the planned Sunrise Corridor, which hasn't been finalized but is expected to cut across the proposed shopping center property. The commissioners want to make sure they don't accidentally double the price of the land they need by approving the rezone. The price of industrial land is about $5 per sf, while the price of commercial land is between $10 and $12 per sf.

Despite the fact that Emmert has said he will agree to sell the land at the lower industrial-zoned price, some commissioners are concerned that the lower rate agreement may not be enforceable. They are concerned because of a case in 1990 where an apartment developer agreed to dedicate right of way and then changed his mind, with the ultimate outcome being that the county had to pay more for the land than they expected.

The final discussion and vote on the matter is scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Thursday, Feb. 5). If the commissioners sign off on the plan, approvals are still needed from the regional government Metro and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Sunrise Corridor will be a limited access road that will connect Highway 224 west of Interstate 205 with Highway 26 west of Sandy. The project was designed to eliminate the bottleneck caused by having to use I-205 to connect Highway 224 and Highway 212.

Instant Insights /

300,000-SF Retail Development Up for Vote

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