Sandy council hears hours of Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola comment and continues accessory dwelling hearing to Sept. 28
September 21, 2021, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
The Sandy City Council heard presentations on Little Cottonwood Canyon transportation and roughly forty residents and others, split on a gondola versus buses, before continuing a public hearing on internal accessory dwelling units to Sept. 28 because of public noticing requirements. It also recognized two people who helped a Sandy police officer.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Police recognition: Meritorious Service Awards
Discussed
Police Chief Greg Severson recognized Eusebio Santos, a retired New York Police Department officer, and Joshua Hunt for assisting a Sandy officer on Aug. 10, 2021. Both received the Meritorious Service Award.
Item 2 · Roads and utilities
Presentations on Little Cottonwood Canyon transportation
Discussed
Council Member Monica Zoltanski introduced three presenters. Carl Fisher of Save Our Canyons gave historical data and visitation statistics and raised concerns about canyon development. Micki Harris of Save Not Pave raised concerns about the gondola and plans for Wasatch Boulevard. Brad Rutledge of the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance discussed transportation risks and offered solutions. A point of order was raised and the chair limited one council member's comment time. No vote was taken.
Item 3 · Other
Consent calendar: approval of Aug. 17 and Aug. 24, 2021 minutes
Approved
Approved by unanimous voice vote.
Item 6 · City code
Public hearing: internal accessory apartments (accessory dwelling units)
Continued · 7-0
Chair Alison Stroud opened the hearing. Jim Edwards spoke in support of internal accessory dwelling units. The hearing was continued to Sept. 28, 2021 because of public noticing requirements, on a unanimous voice vote.
What residents said
Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola versus busesWatershed and air qualityAccessory dwelling unitsPickleball court access
About forty speakers addressed the Little Cottonwood Canyon options. Supporting a gondola were Frank Prater, Brent Lange, Sam Clark, Patrick Egbert, Jeff Mansell, Matt Ireland, Shawn Marquardt, Colby Rollins, Court Ashton, Eric Despain, Chris McCandless and Brent Christasen, along with read-in comments from John Bankhead and Graham. Opposing a gondola were Ellen Birrell, Katie Johnson, Emily Pitsch, Kristen Wray, Kent Hoggan, Mike Mahoney, Derek and David Tillotson, Mike Marker, Aaron London and Sam Bloom. Jim Edwards raised concerns about it. Others favored phased approaches, enhanced bus service or tolling, including Craig Osterloy of Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Evan Tobin and Robert Douglass. State Representative Suzanne Harrison favored the least invasive, fiscally conservative option. Craig Johnson praised the pickleball courts and suggested access and safety improvements. Aaron DeKeyser said he believed the public opposed the gondola.