Sandy City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Sandy City Council met on April 15, 2025, at 5:15 PM in City Hall and via Zoom. The meeting included a legislative report, informational items on a TRCC grant for Bicentennial Park and an economic development update featuring the Cairns Housing Transit Reinvestment Zone (HTRZ) proposal, a consent calendar, standing reports, and council member business. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Van Maren (Draper resident) spoke during the General Citizen Comment period (opened after 6:00 PM). He cautioned the Council about proposed annexations, noting that creating two separate islands of annexed land could complicate county snow removal and garbage collection. He urged the Council to proceed cautiously.

Informational Items

• Parks and Recreation – TRCC Funding for Bicentennial Park: Dan Medina, Parks & Recreation Director, presented Resolution 25-13C and an Interlocal Agreement with Salt Lake County for a $700,000 Tourism, Recreation, Cultural, Convention, and Airport Facilities (TRCC) grant. The total project cost is $1.3 million, funding improvements including pickleball courts, tennis courts, LED lighting, a playground with astroturf and cushion surfacing, and a full shade structure over the playground. The project is on track to open in June 2025, in time for the Historic Sandy Barbecue. The item is informational and will return for action at a future meeting.
• Economic Development Update and Cairns HTRZ Proposal: Kasey Dunlavy and Rob Sant provided an update on economic development projects and the proposed Housing Transit Reinvestment Zone (HTRZ). Key 2024 statistics for Sandy City: over 700 new business licenses issued, 1,600 new jobs created, 3% unemployment, and $3.3 billion in taxable sales (top five in the state). They reviewed several projects including The Compass, Sandy Shulsen, Centennial Village, Redsky, The Summit, and the Utah Hockey Club practice facility. The HTRZ proposal covers approximately 25.5 acres around the FrontRunner station, aiming to deliver 1,500 housing units (178 affordable) at 58 units per acre. The zone would capture 80% of tax increment for 25 years per phase (up to 45 years total). The application will be submitted to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) in the coming weeks, with a committee hearing anticipated in late summer. Council members discussed the importance of a pedestrian/cyclist bridge to directly connect the Cairns area to the FrontRunner station, which is seen as critical for the HTRZ application. The bridge is currently planned as an active transportation connection, with transit capability considered less feasible due to right-of-way changes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously by voice vote (7-0). Items included:
  • Resolution #25-12C: Intent to annex a contiguous 5.5-acre area at 10665 S. Dimple Dell Road and 3075 E. Deer Hollow Drive (Hidden Hollow Annexation), setting a public hearing and directing publication.
  • Approval of March 18, 2025 Draft Minutes.
  • Proclamation of April 26, 2025 as Arbor Day in Sandy City.
  • Reappointment of Bruce Bryner to the Board of Adjustment as a regular member (Resolution 25-02M).
  • Appointment of Josh Chandler to the Board of Adjustment as an alternate member (Resolution 25-01M).

Key Outcomes

• The Council received the informational items (TRCC grant and HTRZ proposal) with no formal action taken; the TRCC item will return for a vote, and the HTRZ proposal will be submitted to the state after further refinement.
• The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously.
• The Mayor reported on the One Sandy Awards, topping-off ceremonies for Fire Station 31 and the Utah Hockey Club practice facility, and upcoming events (Food Truck Nights, Sandy Beautification Day on April 26, 2025). Police Chief Severson outlined officer training on de-escalation and autism awareness, including a community autism event planned for August.
• Council Member Cyndi Sharkey noted that the Sandy Arts Guild won four Best of State Awards and the Sandy Amphitheater won two, marking 10 total Best of State awards for the Arts Guild since 2022.
• Council Director Dustin Fratto reminded council members of state-mandated training for special service district board members and encouraged use of remaining council cash for employee recognition.

Standing Reports

• Council Director Dustin Fratto reviewed the upcoming agenda planning calendar, including the April 22 meeting with the South Valley Chamber annual report, a Riverside Park rezone item, a first reading on brew pub code amendments, the TRCC grant action item, and a public hearing on the CDBG annual action plan. He also reminded members of Sandy Beautification Day on April 26 and council cash balances.