Sandy council hears Centennial Village luxury auto dealership zoning idea and UDOT Little Cottonwood Canyon options; Alta Canyon timeline advances
July 27, 2021, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
In work session the Sandy City Council expressed support for a zoning amendment to allow a luxury automobile dealership at the Centennial Village project and heard UDOT describe bus and gondola options for Little Cottonwood Canyon. It voted by voice to move an Alta Canyon Sports Center discussion timeline to a second reading.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Zoning
Centennial Village zoning amendment (CBD A&E zone) to allow automotive sales
Discussed
Dan Simons and team of SPC Group, investor David Truong, Tom Buckley of Salt Lake City Motors and architect Jon Lee presented a zoning amendment that would allow a high-end luxury automobile dealership at the Centennial Village project. The council expressed support for a zoning amendment for the project area. No formal vote was taken.
Item 2 · Roads and utilities
UDOT Little Cottonwood Canyon environmental impact statement update
Discussed
Josh Vanjura of UDOT described options for S.R. 210 from Fort Union Boulevard through the Town of Alta, enhanced bus service and a gondola. Public comment was extended to Sept. 3, 2021 and a decision was expected in the first quarter of 2022. Council members raised electric buses, costs, parking structures, tolls, gondola ticket prices, traffic, and tower height and alignment. No formal vote was taken.
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
Central Wasatch Commission update and canyon transportation priorities
Discussed
Council Member Marci Houseman and Lance Kovel of the U.S. Forest Service, who described the five-year visitor use study, led the discussion, facilitated by City Attorney Lynn Pace. Administration will forward council and staff concerns to UDOT. Concerns included traffic management, a parking structure, the watershed, tax burden, ski resort buy-in, effects on Highland Drive, permanence of gondola towers and bus flexibility. No formal vote was taken.
Item 4 · Other
First reading: biennial energy benchmarking program for municipal buildings
Continued
Rescheduled at the sponsor's request, Council Member Zach Robinson.
Item 5 · Parks
First reading: Alta Canyon Sports Center discussion timeline
Approved · 7-0
Council Member Zach Robinson proposed a discussion timeline and incremental decision-making process (Exhibit A) covering the governing structure of the Alta Canyon Special Service District, the consultant study, the budget and related legal issues. The council moved it to a second reading by unanimous voice vote; individual votes were not recorded.
What residents said
Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola and bus optionsParking structure at 9400 South and Highland DriveFarnsworth Farms development processCampaign sign ordinance
John Winder supported reinstating the community coordinator and community action programs and the awards banquet. Dave Fields of Snowbird supported the gondola and said Snowbird would place over 1,000 acres of private land in a conservation easement if it is selected. Mark Ciullo asked for more details and a clearer process on the Farnsworth Farms development. Jim Edwards was concerned about a proposed parking structure at 9400 South and Highland Drive and asked for a traffic study. Carl Fisher of Save Our Canyons favored expanded bus service over the gondola. Lindsey Butrum opposed the gondola, citing privacy for canyon residents. Emily Pitsch said the EIS had not explored all options and supported tolling and improved bus service.