Sandy City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:15 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included a general citizen comment period, three informational items, a public hearing on four annexations, a consent calendar, a Redevelopment Agency (RDA) meeting, and standing reports. Council members present: Alison Stroud, Kris Nicholl, Marci Houseman, Cyndi Sharkey, Brooke Christensen, and Aaron Dekeyzer. Brooke D'Sousa was excused. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

General Citizen Comment

• Henry Butters commented on a negative experience with a dog catcher, advocating for body cameras on animal control officers. He also expressed concerns about parking by the fire station, alleging biased enforcement.

Informational Items

Architectural Review Committee Interview

• Council Member Kris Nicholl introduced Chad Littlewood, a licensed architect from Babcock Design, as a candidate for the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). Littlewood spoke about his experience and interest. Community Development Director James Sorensen expressed support. Council members asked about balancing design, cost, and handling conflicts of interest. Council generally supported the appointment; a vote will occur at a future meeting.

Central Wasatch Commission Annual Review

• Lindsey Nielsen, Director of the Central Wasatch Commission (CWC), presented an annual review. She highlighted the CWC's role in watershed protection, transportation studies (e.g., Big Cottonwood Canyon Mobility Action Plan), the ski bus priority access program, a youth council, a short-term projects grant program (up to $20,000 per project, over $300,000 allocated total), and the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act (CWN CRA) legislation, which is being re-engaged. Council asked about grant recipients and support for organizations like Save Our Canyons.

Owner Occupancy and Housing Incentives Discussion

• City Attorney Lynn Pace facilitated a discussion on development agreements, by-right approvals, and incentives related to owner occupancy requirements. The goal was to gather council feedback for drafting code changes. Council members shared priorities:
  • Marci Houseman: Prioritized homeownership with 10-year deed restrictions. Supported incentives such as density bonuses, fee waivers, expedited permitting, and codifying incentives to make them predictable for developers. Emphasized partnership with developers and addressing the "missing middle" housing.
  • Kris Nicholl: Focused on understanding deed restrictions, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms. Noted condo ownership as a flexible option and asked for more details on existing density bonuses and enforcement (e.g., via HOA or administrative law judge).
  • Alison Stroud: Prioritized neighborhood stability and long-term homeownership. Supported owner occupancy but was hesitant to codify incentives broadly, preferring case-by-case for now. Favored fee waivers and accelerated approval, but expressed caution about opening density everywhere. Wanted to see both starter homes and destination homes.
  • Aaron Dekeyzer: Supported homeownership, 10-year deed restrictions, and codified incentives with periodic review. Favored reduced parking requirements in transit areas.
  • Brooke Christensen: Tied owner occupancy to affordability—incentives should only be given in exchange for affordability conditions. Cautioned against overburdening developers and noted that the upcoming land development code rewrite (starting April 29) should inform the process.
• General consensus: Owner occupancy is a priority, but tools and enforcement need careful design. Council will provide further questions to staff.

Public Hearing – Annexations

The council held a joint public hearing for four proposed annexations (items 4–7). No property owners or members of the public offered comment. Community Development’s Brian McCuiston presented each parcel:

• Altavilla 3 Annexation: 10184 S Altavilla Dr., proposing R-1-40A zoning. Positive Planning Commission recommendation.
• Altavilla 4 Annexation: 10274 and 10302 S Altavilla Dr., same zoning. Positive recommendation.
• Smith Annexation: 9519 S Hidden Pine Lane, proposing R-1-15 zoning. Positive recommendation.
• G Miller Annexation: 10324 S Dimple Dell Road, proposing R-1-20A zoning. Positive recommendation. All were adopted by a single motion and roll call vote of 6-0.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8: Parks and Recreation Department request to approve a resolution authorizing an interlocal cooperation agreement with Salt Lake County for TRCC funding ($3 million) for the Sandy Recreation Center. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
• Item 9: Community Development recommendation to adopt Resolution #26-52C indicating intent to annex a 0.35-acre parcel at 9521 S KSEL Dr. (Rudelich Annexation) and set a public hearing. Unanimously approved.

Redevelopment Agency Meeting

• The council recessed the city council meeting at 7:15 PM and convened as the Sandy City Redevelopment Agency (RDA). Dan Nelson presented a proposal to move city departments (Arts Guild, Parks & Rec administration, and Economic Development/RDA) into the Arbor Building. Council Member Christensen expressed concern that the plan does not free up space for the Police Department, which was the original need. Discussion ensued about possibly moving Public Utilities instead. The item is tentatively scheduled for a vote the following week. RDA minutes from February 10 and February 17 were approved.
• The RDA meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM and the council reconvened.

Standing Reports

• Council Office Director Report (Dustin Fratto): Noted Sandy Beautification Day on April 25, the execution of an expanded Matrix management study contract, and upcoming agenda items including a youth council graduation, fire department annual report, ADU discussion, CDBG annual action plan, and a budget training on April 28.
• Council Member Business: Multiple members reported on community events: Chamber luncheon at Fire Station 31, America|Sandy 250 art event, youth council activities, school field trips to City Hall, and Sandy Historic Preservation Committee updates. Council Member Dekeyzer highlighted National Dark Sky Week, announced work on a dark sky ordinance and a riparian ordinance, and thanked Public Utilities for donating 2,500 acre-feet of water to the Great Salt Lake.
• Mayor's Report: Acknowledged the $3 million TRCC funding for the Recreation Center (with Miller Foundation donation), the importance of the Central Wasatch Commission and CWN CRA legislation for watershed protection, attendance at the Sandy 250 art event, and announced Sandy City's certification as an official "Kindness City."
• CAO Report (Shane Pace): Announced an emergency communications test on April 16 and the opening of Sego Lily Gardens.
• Recreation Center Construction Report (Ben Hill): The project remains on time and on budget. Updates on concrete, electrical, and plumbing work. Youth council tour scheduled.

Key Outcomes

• Altavilla 3, Altavilla 4, Smith, and G Miller Annexations were approved (6-0) with designated zoning.
• Consent Calendar (TRCC funding agreement and Rudelich annexation resolution) approved unanimously.
• RDA meeting: Discussion on Arbor Building occupancy; no vote taken; item to return next week.
• No closed session was held.
• Council direction: Staff to compile further information on owner occupancy enforcement, monitoring, and incentives based on council feedback. The land development code rewrite will incorporate these issues starting April 29.
• Appointment of Chad Littlewood to the Architectural Review Committee will be on a future consent calendar for formal approval.