Sandy City Council Meeting – April 22, 2025

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:15 PM in City Hall and via Zoom. Five council members were present (Ryan Mecham and Brooke D'Sousa excused). The meeting opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and Chair Aaron Dekeyzer noted it was Earth Day. The council heard reports, public comments, and discussions on several items, including the Riverside Park rezone, a proposal to expand brew pub locations, a public hearing on the CDBG consolidated plan, and approved an interlocal agreement for Bicentennial Park. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 PM, followed immediately by a meeting of the Alta Canyon Recreation Special Service District Board.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the draft minutes from March 25, 2025, and April 1, 2025, unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Archuleta – Opposed the Riverside Park rezone, citing traffic and access concerns. He noted that a raised median planned on 90th South would prevent left turns, forcing traffic onto 7th West through a parking lot drive aisle.
• Jen Archuleta – Expressed safety concerns about the rezone, including lack of sidewalks, light, and noise impacts. She stated that 7-Eleven's conditional use permit was revoked because adverse impacts could not be mitigated.
• Kathy Stark – Requested the city remove dead branches and address neglected trees along the old Salt Lake Canal strip behind her home. She noted that promised work from the previous year had not been completed.
• Patricia Jones – Opposed the proposal to broaden brew pub locations, arguing alcohol is an addictive drug that harms community safety and well-being. She urged the council to prioritize safety over sales tax.
• Raju Pusapali – Opposed the Riverside Park rezone due to potential increases in noise, light, and safety issues from nighttime activity near his backyard.
• Craig Ulrich – Cautioned the council about expanding brew pub locations, citing a recent Salt Lake Tribune article about a Wasatch/Squatters brewery closure and the earlier closure of Hopper's Bar and Grill. He urged thorough research.
• Baleigh Dellos (Program Director, Medically Vulnerable People facility) – Thanked the council and CDBG committee for the recommended funding allocation and shared statistics: 383 medically vulnerable individuals served in the past year, with the oldest being 86. She described a success story of a client who received housing after a year of services.
• Jason Wheeler (Cis Community Design Center) – Thanked the council for grant funding recommendation and described his organization's emergency home repair and accessibility retrofit services for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
• Kate Nielsen (COO, Habitat for Humanity) – Thanked the council and CDBG committee for funding to repair homes for low-income homeowners, noting that over the past year they served 200+ individuals across the valley and 19 families in Sandy alone.
• Steve Van Maren – Expressed support for the CDBG committee's recommended funding allocation.

Discussion Items

• South Valley Chamber of Commerce 2024 Annual Report – CEO Jay Francis presented highlights: 10 major tourism events drew over 100,000 visitors and generated $24.7 million in economic impact; 196 new chamber members (37 from Sandy); programs including Women in Business, Jr. WIB (25 graduates with $1,000 scholarships), Business Institute, and government advocacy. Council thanked the chamber for its partnership.
• Riverside Park Rezone (File #REZ11272023-006661) – Jake Warner (Community Development) presented the applicant Adam Nash's request to rezone one parcel from CvC (commercial) to PUD(12) for 19 residential units. The property is located at 9016 West Riverside Drive. Staff noted the property was originally envisioned for commercial use. The Planning Commission recommended denial in May 2024, then forwarded a positive recommendation by split vote in January 2025 after access changes. Council members raised concerns: incompatible with the new General Plan (designated Light Commerce), inadequate emergency access, raised median on 90th South preventing left turns, and pedestrian safety on a parking-lot drive aisle. Adam Nash responded that the south access is a 27-foot road with a sidewalk, not a parking lot, and that UDOT wants the access moved for safety. He offered to host a site visit. The item was informational and will return for a vote.
• Brew Pubs First Reading – Council Member Zach Robinson proposed directing staff to draft amendments to municipal code to streamline processes, lower financial barriers, and broaden permitted locations beyond the Cairns District and industrial zones. He emphasized focusing on restaurant-brewery combinations (e.g., Bohemian, Garage Grill) that already meet state regulations. Council feedback varied: Member Houseman supported reducing administrative barriers but opposed expanding locations, preferring to keep brew pubs in the Cairns. Member Sharkey questioned why brew pubs are treated differently from full-service restaurants with bar licenses. Member Stroud favored a measured, scaled approach. Chair Dekeyzer expressed full support for staff to review the code. The item will return as a second reading with staff recommendations.
• CDBG 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan – Jake Warner presented the five-year plan and proposed PY2025 funding allocation. Estimated available CDBG funding is $352,069 (subject to HUD final award). The committee recommended shifting focus toward housing goals. Proposed allocation: administration $61,174; public services $27,083 (South Valley Services $8,125, Senior Charity Care $5,416, Road Home MVP $13,542); housing $242,145 (Assist: Aging in Place $100,000, Habitat for Humanity $142,145); neighborhood projects $0 (contingency). Upwards Care (child care technical assistance) requested $64,000 but was not recommended due to lack of an economic development goal and lower priority. Council Member Houseman suggested adding a child care access goal to align with the city's economic development master plan. The plan will be up for a vote on April 29.
• Bicentennial Park TRCC Funding Interlocal Agreement – Dan Medina (Parks & Recreation) presented Resolution 25-13C for an agreement with Salt Lake County to use $700,000 in TRCC funds (Tourism, Recreation, Convention, Culture) plus $624,000 city funds for a $1.3 million upgrade: new playground, two tennis courts, four pickleball courts, lighting, shade structure, hammock station, corn hole, and slack line. The concrete pour used post-tension cables to ensure 50–75 year lifespan, requiring 37 concrete trucks.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (voice vote).
• Bicentennial Park Resolution 25-13C – Approved 5-0 (roll call: Stroud, Robinson, Houseman, Sharkey, Dekeyzer yes; Mecham and D'Sousa excused).
• Brew Pubs – Council directed staff to draft amendments to municipal code to streamline the process, lower financial barriers, and broaden permitted locations. The item will return as a second reading.
• Riverside Park Rezone – Continued as informational; council will review planning commission notes and consider the proposal further. Applicant offered a site visit.
• CDBG Plan – The council will vote on the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan on April 29, 2025.
• Alta Canyon Recreation Special Service District Board – The board (composed of council members) adopted Resolution ACRSSD 25-01 authorizing capital improvements to district property via contractor Leighton Construction, and approved the July 23, 2024 draft minutes. Both motions carried unanimously.