Sandy council creates Kuwahara special development zone and adopts temporary building pause east of Wasatch Boulevard, both 7-0
April 6, 2021, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
The Sandy City Council, meeting by Zoom webinar, voted 7-0 to create a new SD(FM-HSN) special development zone in its land development code for the Kuwahara Wholesale site in historic Sandy. It also voted 7-0, twice, on Ordinance 21-14, a temporary land use regulation that pauses development on properties east of Wasatch Boulevard, after residents asked that it cover land to Sandy's northern edge. The minutes record no motion on the rezone of the Kuwahara parcel itself.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Zoning
New SD(FM-HSN) special development zone for Kuwahara Wholesale (Ordinance 21-13)
Approved · 7-0
The ordinance amends Title 21, Chapter 19 (Special Development Districts) of the municipal code to add a site-specific zone. Planning Director Brian McCuiston presented. City Attorney Lynn Pace noted the narrow uses allowed on the property, and the Planning Commission created two temporary use windows for farmers markets. Members of the Kuwahara family thanked staff and the council. Sharon Jensen supported the business as a positive neighborhood amenity. Steve Van Maren objected to reducing the special development district minimum from two acres to one, suggested an alternative if certain conditions are met and raised concerns about the parking surface and the requirement to retain storm water on the property. The council found the ordinance consistent with the Land Development Code's purpose and General Plan goals.
- Item CODE-11-20-5947_CC
Item 2 · Zoning
Kuwahara Wholesale rezone from CN(HSN) to SD(FM-HSN), 8565 and 8575 S. State Street
No action
The agenda item asked the council to rezone the Kuwahara Wholesale parcels in Historic Sandy (Community #4) from CN(HSN) to the new SD(FM-HSN) zone. Staff offered four options: approve as recommended by the Planning Commission (Ordinance 21-12), approve with revisions, deny, or table. The minutes record no public comment, motion or vote on this item.
- Item ZONE-02-21-5995_CC
- Ordinance 21-12 (proposed)
Item 3 · Zoning
Temporary land use regulation: pause on development east of Wasatch Boulevard (Ordinance 21-14)
Approved · 7-0
The ordinance temporarily prohibits development on properties east of Wasatch Boulevard. McCuiston said applying the new zone to the Kuwahara property is the next step, and Community Development Director James Sorensen stated for the record that the Kuwahara business still needs to address basic life-safety issues. The council first voted 7-0 on a motion by Council Member Brooke Christensen. Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl then introduced the item, citing concern about development in the foothills and about the ordinance's limit to areas of steep slopes. Ellen Birrell, Megan Sieverts and Leslie Kovach supported it if extended to all land east of Wasatch Boulevard to Sandy's northern-most edge. The council discussed expanding the area and voted 7-0 again on a second motion by Coleman-Nicholl. The minutes do not explain how the two motions differ.
- Item 21-133
- Ordinance 21-14
- First motion: Christensen/Zoltanski, 7-0; second motion: Coleman-Nicholl/Robinson, 7-0
Item 6 · Other
Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar, the proclamation at Mayor Kurt Bradburn's request declares April 2021 Child Abuse Prevention Month in Sandy City.
What residents said
Kuwahara zoningDevelopment in the foothillsPause on building east of Wasatch BoulevardElection administration
Steve Van Maren said he had not seen a resolution to contract with the county clerk for election administration and proposed considering ranked choice voting. Other speakers are noted in items 1 and 3.