Tooele council denies Sensitive Area Overlay removal, approves East Valley water study
September 16, 2026, 7:09 p.m.
Tooele's City Council voted 4-0 on Sept. 16 to deny Ordinance 2026-27, which would have removed the Sensitive Area Overlay from about 2.02 acres near 600 South Canyon Road and 695 South Main Street. It also approved, 4-0, an agreement with Hansen, Allen & Luce for an East Valley water source and water rights study. This entry covers selected decisions, not the whole agenda.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 21, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Ordinance 2026-27 · Zoning
Sensitive Area Overlay removal near 600 South Canyon Road and 695 South Main Street
Denied · 4-0
Community Development Director Andrew Aagard presented a request to remove the Sensitive Area Overlay from three parcels totaling 2.02 acres. Underlying zoning would not change. Staff said the applicant's main goal is more lots: the eastern property could yield about four lots without the overlay and about two with it. The western parcel could not get new homes under its current zoning with or without the overlay. Staff said substantial grading had occurred without development applications and that no engineering had confirmed slope stability or drainage. Council members raised drainage, flooding of lower homes and a FEMA drainage area. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 on Sept. 9 to recommend removal, per staff. The public hearing drew no comment. The council voted 4-0 in favor of the motion to deny; the ordinance was not adopted.
- Area: 2.02 acres, three parcels
- Zoning: eastern parcels R1-7; western parcel partly MU-160 and partly Open Space
- Applicant: not named in the minutes
- Planning Commission: 7-0 recommending removal (Sept. 9), per staff
Item Resolution 2026-72 · Contract
Hansen, Allen & Luce agreement for East Valley water source and water rights study
Approved · 4-0
Public Works Director Nathan Farrer said the study would look at how to use the city's existing water rights, including Kennecott rights and others on the east side of the valley, to support development east of Main Street and add water sources. He distinguished it from a separate J-U-B Engineers study earlier in the year that assessed the city's current water position. The minutes state no dollar amount.
- ContractAmount not given to Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc.
- Amount: not stated in the minutes
What residents said
Drainage and flooding below the hillsideSlope stability
No one spoke at the Sensitive Area Overlay public hearing.