Sandy City Council Meeting – April 29, 2025

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 5:15 PM in City Hall and online. The meeting included a special recognition of the Sandy Youth Council, public comments on various topics, an informational update on e-bike and scooter regulations, and voting items including a rejected rezone, approved CDBG plan, a failed park strip resolution, and a passed brew pub study resolution. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM.

Special Recognition: Sandy Youth Council 2024-25

• Council staff Liz Theriault and Chris Edwards presented the program year review. The Sandy Youth Council has 31 members from 10 high schools who provided over 650 volunteer hours. Fourteen seniors were recognized with gifts. Council members and the Deputy Mayor expressed appreciation for the youth's service and leadership.

General Citizen Comment Period

• Dawn Sidwell spoke in favor of expanding locations where brew pubs can operate, citing a desire for dining options.
• Pat Jones praised the city's wildfire information on the website, especially the interactive map, and suggested adding a plug in utility bills and email notices to direct residents to the Fire Marshal link.
• Scott Cowdell, former council member, described a contamination issue in Historic Sandy from EPA cleanup in the 1990s. He stated that new testing on his property (part of a six-parcel area) revealed continued contamination, and he requested city help, including forming a committee to review standards and possibly assisting with cleanup costs.
• Andrea Mantyla raised safety concerns about a missing sidewalk section on 1700 East near Crescent View Drive, urging the city to install a sidewalk.
• Kathleen Ballaine, a crossing guard, urged drivers to be attentive near schools to protect children walking and biking.

Discussion Items

Informational Item: Amendments to Code Chapter 10-9 – Motor Assisted Scooters and Electric Assisted Bicycles

• Megan Sundquist, Risk Manager, presented proposed amendments prohibiting e-bikes on sidewalks (mirroring existing scooter rules). Age restrictions were discussed: e-scooter riders must be 18+, class 3 e-bike riders must be 16+, and no one under 14 may operate an e-scooter or e-bike with motor engaged on public property unless supervised. The item will return for formal action at a future meeting.

Voting Item 3: Riverside Park Rezone (File REZ11272023-006661)

• Sarah Stringham (Community Development) presented the request to rezone a 1.78-acre parcel at 9016 S. Riverside Drive from CvC (Planned Center – Convenience) to PUD(12) (Planned Unit Development). Applicant Adam Nash spoke in support, emphasizing infill housing and compatibility with adjacent PUD development. He argued the proposed townhomes (roughly 60 daily trips) would have less traffic impact than commercial uses (156-360 daily trips).
• Public comment: Jen Archuleta and Jeremiah Johnson opposed, citing safety concerns with the access route (narrow road behind 7-Eleven), lack of sidewalks, and past promises not kept. Johnson noted the area is already difficult for commercial traffic and would be dangerous for residents.
• Council discussion: Several members expressed concerns about ingress/egress, water table, and the impact on existing residents. Councilmember Sharkey noted historic issues with the 7-Eleven development. The motion to reject was made by Aaron Dekeyzer and seconded by Cyndi Sharkey.
• Vote: 7-0 to reject Ordinance 25-11 (rezone denied).

Voting Item 4: 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and PY2025 CDBG Funding

• Mike Wilcox (Community Development) requested approval of the Consolidated Plan and first-year Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant funds, as recommended by the Citizen Advisory Committee. The submittal is due May 15, 2025.
• Public comment: Brandon Veihl (South Valley Services) thanked the council for funding, reporting that the organization served 3,809 clients with 19,140 services in the last fiscal year.
• Vote: 7-0 to adopt Resolution 25-24C.

Voting Item 5: Second Reading – Park Strip Resolution 25-15C (Sponsor: Sharkey)

• Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey presented a resolution to change the residential design standard so park strips would not be required (one-word change from “required” to “not required”). She reviewed extensive research: discussions with 60+ stakeholders across departments, utility companies, builders, and residents. Key arguments included water waste, sidewalk damage from tree roots, cost savings, and the ability to place trees behind the sidewalk. She emphasized the item was a procedural step to send the concept through the code amendment process.
• Council discussion: Members debated competing interests. Councilmember Houseman supported the change as a way to simplify infill development. Councilmember Robinson suggested a broader review of park strip standards rather than removal, offering a friendly amendment to strike “removal” and use “limiting” (not accepted). Councilmember Stroud raised concerns about snow plowing, pedestrian safety perception, ADA compliance, and the existing variance process. Councilmember D'Souza supported sending the concept for analysis.
• Public comment: Steve Van Maren opposed the proposal, citing consistency and suggesting it be deferred to the ongoing major code revision.
• Motion to call the question passed 7-0, ending debate.
• Vote on adoption of Resolution 25-15C: YES – Houseman, Sharkey, D'Souza (3); NO – Stroud, Robinson, Mecham, Dekeyzer (4). Motion failed 3-4.

Voting Item 6: Second Reading – Brew Pubs Resolution 25-16C (Sponsor: Robinson)

• Councilmember Zach Robinson presented a resolution directing the city to consider streamlining the permitting process, lowering financial barriers, and expanding locations where brew pubs are permitted. He incorporated feedback from the first reading, including a crime statistics analysis. The deadline for staff recommendations was moved from July 1 to August 1, 2025, after discussion about staff workload.
• Councilmember Houseman stated she would not support expansion, preferring to keep current restrictions.
• Public comment: None.
• Vote: 6-1 to adopt Resolution 25-16C (Houseman opposed).

Standing Reports & Council Business

• Council Director Dustin Fratto announced the Mayor’s Tentative Budget will be presented next week.
• Councilmember Robinson noted he will be absent from next week’s meeting.
• Councilmember Stroud and Sharkey reported on Sandy Beautification Day activities, with over 300 volunteers completing 12 projects.
• Councilmember Houseman provided updates from the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District Board meeting: monthly billing begins January 2026, success of the apprentice program, and retirement of Pam Roberts (September 30). She also shared resident feedback supporting a shift to digital newsletters to save costs.
• Deputy Mayor Kim Bell reported on beautification stats and upcoming events: Super Chicks ribbon cutting (May 7) and Wetlands Dedication (May 8).

Key Outcomes

• Riverside Park Rezone: Denied (7-0). The parcel will remain zoned CvC.
• CDBG Consolidated Plan: Approved (7-0). Staff directed to submit by May 15, 2025.
• Park Strip Resolution: Failed (3-4). Park strips remain a required residential design standard; no code change initiated.
• Brew Pubs Resolution: Passed (6-1). Staff to study streamlined processes and expanded locations, reporting back by August 1, 2025.