Sandy City Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 2026

The Sandy City Planning Commission met on August 20, 2026, at 6:15 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a field trip at 4:00 PM, followed by the regular session. The commission considered preliminary subdivision and site plan reviews for a new Liberty Drug pharmacy, a legislative rezone for three properties on Hagan Road, and a comprehensive code amendment to allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in response to state law SB 84. All items were acted upon, with recommendations forwarded to the city council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hagan Road Rezone: Adele Clark (adjacent neighbor) opposed the rezone, stating she was told the properties were intentionally zoned R120 (without the A designation) to prevent farm animals, and that the applicant’s lambs have been noisy and a nuisance. She requested the commission uphold the existing zoning. Debbie Judd (north neighbor) also opposed, noting that when she built 24 years ago she was told no agriculture, and she feared future owners could keep large animals (horses, cows) on the half-acre lots. One online speaker (John Dudash) opposed the rezone, asking to keep existing zoning. The applicant, Matt Grant, and ten supporting neighbors wrote emails in favor of the change, arguing it would allow responsible animal keeping consistent with the surrounding area.
• ADU Code Amendments: Todd Vanderlinden (1875 Alabama Way) supported allowing conversion of existing accessory structures (like his detached garage with 7-foot side setbacks and 17-foot height) into ADUs, asking for a realistic pathway that doesn't require demolishing the structure. Dr. Wendy Davis (9066 South Jason K Circle) supported the ADU ordinance overall but asked for fewer bureaucratic barriers, easier compliance, and a path to legalize existing illegal ADUs. James Longstaff (10095 South 2285 East) asked the commission to reverse the recommendation for additional parking within a half-mile of transit, arguing it makes ADUs more expensive and is not based on data; he also supported lowering the minimum lot size below 11,000 square feet. Diane Nicholson (2026 Ashley Rich Road) requested lowering the lot size requirement to 8,000 square feet (the median lot size in Sandy) and reducing the 10-foot setback for smaller lots to help more residents.

Discussion Items

• Pharm 106 Subdivision and Liberty Drug Site Plan: The applicant proposed a two-lot commercial subdivision at 1010 East 10600 South and a preliminary site plan for a 10,200 sq ft pharmacy/compounding facility. The building will be set back due to an existing easement, with parking in front (a modification supported by staff). Staff recommended approval with conditions to address building elevations on the rear façade. The commission voted unanimously to approve both items.
• Hagan Road Rezone: The applicant, Matt Grant, along with two neighbors, sought to rezone three properties (11562, 11563, 11586 S. Hagan Road) from R-120 to R-120A (adding animal rights). Staff noted that the four properties in question were originally recommended for R-120A by the planning commission but the city council ordinance zoned them R-120. The surrounding area is mostly R-120A or R-110. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the city council, finding the rezone consistent with the general plan.
• ADU Code Amendments: The commission spent extensive time deliberating modifications to the draft ordinance. Key changes discussed and included in the final motion: (1) Allow up to two extended living areas (ELAs) internal to the primary dwelling if no detached ADU is present, and up to one rental (ADU) on the property. (2) Allow corner lots to locate ADU/ELA entrances facing secondary streets. (3) Allow attached ADUs to be connected by a common wall, breezeway, or non-habitable space (overruling staff’s recommendation for a 20% living space connection). (4) Fix a typo regarding dark-sky lighting. (5) Reduce minimum lot size for detached ADUs from 11,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft, with a goal of further reduction in the future. (6) Allow new subdivisions with 5+ lots to permit ADUs/ELAs within any portion of the property’s standard home setbacks. (7) On large lots (40,000+ sq ft) and A-designated properties, allow bypassing standard accessory structure size limits (subject to future code amendment). (8) For lots smaller than 20,000 sq ft, limit ADU/ELA height to the underlying zone’s building height (not the primary dwelling’s height). (9) Provide a conversion pathway for existing legal accessory structures that do not meet the 10-foot setback or 15-foot height, allowing the portion within the setback to be non-habitable (e.g., storage) and the rest habitable, limited to one story. The commission also directed staff to clarify definitions to avoid inadvertently capturing pool houses or workshops without all three components (kitchen, bath, sleeping area).

Key Outcomes

• Pharm 106 Subdivision: Motion to approve preliminary plat with 4 findings and 3 conditions carried 7-0.
• Liberty Drug Site Plan: Motion to approve preliminary site plan with 4 findings and 9 conditions carried 7-0.
• Hagan Road Rezone: Motion to recommend approval to the city council with 4 findings carried 7-0.
• ADU Code Amendments: Motion to forward a positive recommendation to the city council with the modifications detailed above and the staff report’s findings carried 6-1 (Commissioner Wrigley dissented on the design connection amendment but supported the overall motion).
• Minutes: Minutes from the August 6, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Director’s Report: Upcoming dates announced: Joint Planning Commission-City Council meeting on September 15, 2026, at 5:15 PM; no planning commission meeting on September 3; regular meeting on September 17. Holiday social to be hosted by Commissioner Mortimer.