More pumpkin sales stands could be coming to Riverton. 

The city council approved temporary commercial uses on vacant lots along major roads like Redwood and 12600 South. Those temporary uses are limited to holiday sales like Christmas trees, firework stands and pumpkin patches. The vote was 4-1 with Councilmember Tish Buroker casting the dissenting vote. 

Councilmember Andy Pierucci said the decision allows for personal property rights while considering each property’s situation, which would include compliance from the owner as well as neighbor feedback. 

“It’s a good balancing act,” he said, noting there will be more “opportunities for residents to engage in the holidays.” 

Council members felt there were mechanisms in place to prevent improper use of this ordinance through code enforcement and the permitting process. 

Jason Lethbridge, the city’s development services director, explained permits issued from the planning department and Unified Fire would be required. 

Uses are limited to 60 days and only on properties located along major roadways. Parking must be self-contained so no on street parking would be allowed. Lighting cannot be flashing, moving and must be directed downward. The property must be restored to a clean condition after the 60 days. 

The review process would consider issues such as noise, odors, lighting, access and parking when issuing permits.  

Councilmember Troy McDougal emphasized the mechanism in place would prevent residents currently violating city code to not be granted further “privilege” by city officials. 

Three residents who live on Christian Way off Redwood Road spoke against the ordinance, bringing personal experience from their neighborhood to show why. 

Jay Salter worried about traffic, its affect on neighbors and how the property makes the street unappealing with makeshift fences. He was concerned they would be “rewarding someone that’s constantly putting a burden on the neighbors of Christian Way.”

Todd Wartman told the council to watch out for the rest of them “behind the scenes” who must deal with these properties. “This ordinance may encourage (that property owner) to not even develop that property and just continue to do the tree, fireworks or pumpkin sales year after year after year.” 

Buroker’s biggest concern was the code enforcement of such properties and whether owners would comply. 

“In 60 days for some types of businesses our code enforcement is not going to get a behavior change,” she said.

Code enforcement would handle property issues while parking would be dealt with by the police department’s traffic officers. Other council members and the mayor felt the code enforcement issue was different from the property use issue. 

Pierucci said compliance of city code is a “prerequisite” to receiving a permit. But that those who are “good actors…can benefit themselves and the community writ large.”

“We have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure neighborhoods are not negatively impacted,” he said. 

Resident Shawn Taylor spoke in favor of commercial uses, noting everybody has private property rights. 

“When I look at different opportunities that citizens can have with their own private property,” Taylor told the council, “I think there should be a path that they can do the things that they want. Now if it imposes on the neighbors, that’s a problem and that needs to be addressed. As a council you should always consider respecting private property rights and allow people to use the property as they see fit.” λ