Sandy City Council Meeting Summary – March 10, 2026

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Sandy City Council held a meeting that included a joint work session with the Planning Commission, public comments, discussion of a housing workshop draft report, selection of council liaisons, approval of consent calendar items, action on two rezone applications, an RDA meeting on a child care proposal, and standing reports. The meeting began at 5:15 PM and adjourned at 10:18 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dennis Tenney urged the Council to formally create a Sister City relationship with Zacatecas, Mexico, citing cultural, educational, and commercial opportunities.
• Representative Clint Okerlund (Utah House District 42) provided a legislative review: 540 bills passed; the Utah Supreme Court expansion passed; mail‑in ballots retained; creative funding secured for the Great Salt Lake; education funded in a light budget year.
• Maclain Drake praised the city’s hearing accessibility accommodations and encouraged continued support for the hard‑of‑hearing community.
• Ron Larson opposed the Fortner Rezone, stating that a single‑family home adjacent to his property had been converted into a triplex and he opposed more multi‑family dwellings.
• Shannon Maynard opposed the Fortner Rezone, wanting to preserve the single‑family character and expressing concerns about safety, rentals, and density.
• Miriam Tucker opposed the Fortner Rezone, arguing it does not fit the neighborhood and may set a precedent for other parcels.
• Mike Dearcott (read into record) strongly opposed the Fortner Rezone, stating the neighborhood is mostly single‑family and he does not support higher density.

Work Session – Joint Meeting with City Council and Planning Commission: Land Development Code Update

• Item 26-102: The Council and Planning Commission held a joint work session on the Sandy Land Development Code (Title 21) update. The City received a grant from the Wasatch Front Regional Council to hire the consultant team Psomas. The project is expected to take about two years, finishing in 2027. Presenters Chris Hupp and Greg Haws reviewed the scope, schedule, and process: a preliminary code assessment, stakeholder interviews, framework development, and chapter‑by‑chapter drafting. A website and public workshops (beginning, middle, end) will be used for information and engagement. The steering committee will meet quarterly or at key milestones. Councilmember Brooke D’Sousa asked whether code amendments would be introduced during the process or held until the end. Staff clarified that while most adoption will occur at the end, some items (e.g., ADUs) will move forward sooner. Planning Commissioner Dave Bromley asked about transitioning between old and new codes; the general rule is that the code in effect at the time of application applies.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-104 – “Building our Future” Community Housing Workshop Series Draft Final Report: Dustin Fratto, Council Executive Director, presented the draft report. The workshops identified 48 specific housing problems, prioritized three categories (severe housing shortage, limited housing stock variety, neighborhood/community opposition), and established a unified vision. Three key strategies were developed: 1) permit and incentivize a variety of housing options for a broad range of residents; 2) target strategic locations for additional housing; 3) encourage ownership and quality design to maintain neighborhood character. The report recommends specific tactics and tools: legalizing middle housing (detached ADUs, small‑lot single‑family, twin homes, mansion‑style multifamily), adopting incentives (density bonuses, city assistance, accelerated approvals), and using regulatory tools (buy‑right development approval, form‑based codes, development agreements, overlay zoning). Implementation is categorized as “green” (immediate) and “yellow” (along with the Title 21 rewrite). Green items include permitting detached ADUs, using development agreements, public benefits, and financial/soft‑cost relief; these will be presented in March and April. Yellow items include legalizing small‑lot single‑family, mansion‑style multifamily, twin homes, and high‑density in centers/corridors. Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey expressed concern that the report lacks professional staff recommendations and that some proposals (e.g., mansion‑style multifamily) may lead to rentals rather than owner‑occupied housing. City Attorney Lynn Pace noted the report is directional, not a final decision, and that staff will return with detailed feasibility analysis. Councilmember Brooke Christensen requested a map showing downtown, centers, and corridors. Staff agreed to add a “now/soon/end” timeline and to review the mansion‑style location issue. The Council will consider final adoption at a future meeting.

• Item 26-105 – Selection of Council Liaison(s) for the Land Development Code Re‑draft Steering Committee: After discussion, the Council voted to appoint Councilmembers Kris Nicholl and Brooke D’Sousa to serve on the Title 21 Steering Committee for the Land Development Code Re‑draft, with a term of three steering committee meetings, after which the Council will review and potentially reappoint or select new liaisons. The motion carried unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the reappointment of Ron Mortimer to the Planning Commission (Resolution 26-02M).
• Approved the reappointment of Dave Bromley to the Planning Commission (Resolution 26-01M).
• Adopted Resolution 26-38C expressing intent to annex 1.00 acre at 10184 S Altavilla Dr.
• Adopted Resolution 26-39C expressing intent to annex 2.01 acres at 10274 and 10302 S Altavilla Dr.
• Adopted Resolution 26-40C expressing intent to annex 0.50 acres at 9519 S Hidden Pine Lane.
• Adopted Resolution 26-41C expressing intent to annex 1.96 acres at 10324 S Dimple Dell Road.

Key Outcomes

• Item 10 – 106 Church Rezone (File #REZ01132026-007102): The Council voted 7‑0 to adopt Ordinance 26‑05, rezoning 1.94 acres at 166 E 10600 S from R‑1‑40A (with Farm Animal rights) to R‑1‑10 (Single‑Family Residential).
• Item 11 – Fortner Rezone (File #REZ11202025-007084): The Council voted 4‑3 to adopt Ordinance 26‑04, rezoning 0.65 acres at 8564 S 1000 E from R‑1‑10 to RM(12), subject to the execution and delivery to the City of a development agreement and a subdivision plat ensuring subdivision of the property into no more than six lots and that each unit will be sold on the open market. Voting yes: Nicholl, Houseman, D’Sousa, Dekeyzer. Voting no: Stroud, Sharkey, Christensen.
• Item 12 – Redevelopment Agency Meeting: The Council recessed and convened as the Sandy City Redevelopment Agency. Councilmember Marci Houseman presented a proposal for a public‑private child care co‑op using RDA funds to renovate vacant commercial space into a state‑certified early learning center. The proposal is only a request for staff to conduct a feasibility analysis. Council discussion raised concerns about government subsidy, selection of provider, financial viability, and staff workload. Staff recommended folding the study into the ongoing economic development strategic plan. No formal action was taken; the item will return with more detail.

Standing Reports

• Agenda Planning Calendar & Council Office Director’s Report: Dustin Fratto noted the next meeting (March 17) is canceled for caucus night. Small‑group budget preview meetings are being set up. One seat remains for the Canyons School District Gala. The chamber remodel process is underway; tours of Murray and West Jordan council chambers are being arranged. Councilmembers are asked to select one or two members to participate in the remodel design process.
• Council Member Business: Councilmember Marci Houseman thanked Public Utilities staff for responding to resident concerns, announced the Sandy Arts Guild production of High School Musical Jr. (March 25‑28), and discussed the child care proposal. Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey reported on Convention & Facilities Advisory Board issues (signature gatherers, protests) and noted both convention centers are operating in the black; the Expo Center was awarded Best Convention Center in the Southwest. Councilmember Alison Stroud reported on the Healthy Sandy steering committee and the new behavioral health center at Alta View Hospital opening in June. Councilmember Aaron Dekeyzer reported on the Jordan River Commission and noted snowpack is at 59% of normal.
• Mayor’s Report: Senior Policy Advisor Ryan Mecham reported that the Mayor attended the Ramadan dinner at the Utah Islamic Center; the community expressed gratitude for Sandy’s joint statement of support for Imam Shuaib.
• CAO Report: Shane Pace announced a new fleet manager, Paul Testy (from UTA), and congratulated the police department for arresting a suspect in an attempted murder within five days.
• Legislative Report: Ryan Mecham provided an overview of the 2026 legislative session, including updates on SB 284 (ADUs, planning commission powers), HB 596/HB 308 (homelessness funding, 15% bump for contributory cities), and property tax truth‑in‑taxation provisions (window May 1 – June 13, interim budget requirement).

The meeting adjourned at 10:18 PM.