Thursday, October 15, 2026The Utah Ledger

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Sandy development tracker

Kuwahara Wholesale business review and zoning

A family wholesale business in historic Sandy that went through a city business review in early 2020. The council directed a site-specific zone in November 2020 and February 2021, and on April 6, 2021 voted 7-0 to create the SD(FM-HSN) zone (Ordinance 21-13). The rezone of the parcels from CN(HSN) to that zone (Ordinance 21-12) was on the agenda; the minutes record no vote on it.

Where it stands
Approved
Type
Zone change
Location
8565 and 8575 S. State Street (Historic Sandy)
Applicant
Kuwahara family

Every hearing and vote

  1. February 18, 2020 · City Council

    Community Development briefing on Kuwahara Wholesale

    Discussed

    Staff described the business review process and Doug Wheelwright presented a chronology. Owners Alex Kuwahara and Sara Morrison presented a book with 11,000 petition signatures, a timeline and site improvements and said the city's requirements exceeded their budget. About 60 speakers, most supportive, cited the family business, its employees and its community role, and asked for grandfathered status, a special agricultural zone or a temporary permit. Former Council Member Dennis Tenney recommended a temporary permit and a small-business ombudsman. Others asked the council to uphold codes. The briefing was informational and no vote was taken.

  2. November 3, 2020 · City Council

    Proposed site-specific zone for the Kuwahara business location

    Approved · 7-0

    Council Member Brooke Christensen proposed a site-specific zone for the Kuwahara business in historic Sandy and asked the council to direct staff to draft zoning options. The council attorney explained the zoning possibilities for a specific zone in historic Sandy. The council directed Christensen and planning staff to bring back a draft zone containing the characteristics in her memorandum and any others staff finds necessary. No one commented. The minutes' motion text is partly incomplete.

    • Council direction to draft a zone; no zoning change adopted

    Moved by Council Member Brooke Christensen, seconded by Council Member Monica Zoltanski. Vote: 7-0

  3. February 2, 2021 · City Council

    Historic Sandy Neighborhood Farmer's Market zone (Kuwahara site)

    Approved · 7-0

    Council Member Brooke Christensen recommended a land use code amendment creating the zone, and Community Development Director James Sorensen answered questions. Brooke D'Sousa commended the council and staff on the Kuwahara rezone, and members of the Kuwahara family thanked the council. Steve Van Maren spoke about eComment features. The council directed staff to take the draft zone through the standard public process, including Planning Commission review and recommendation, before returning to the council for final adoption.

    • Direction to staff; no zoning change adopted

    Moved by Council Member Brooke Christensen, seconded by Council Member Monica Zoltanski. Vote: 7-0

  4. April 6, 2021 · City Council

    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

    Moved by Council Member Brooke Christensen, seconded by Council Member Monica Zoltanski. Vote: 7-0

  5. April 6, 2021 · City Council

    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)