Leeds council weighs a long-term utility corridor as residents press for a different route for a 345-kV transmission line
October 14, 2026 · Leeds Town Hall
At its Oct. 14 meeting Mayor Wayne Peterson told the Leeds Town Council he is exploring a mapped long-term utility corridor, modeled on Salt Lake County's, as part of the town's response to Rocky Mountain Power's proposed Three Peaks to Purgatory Flat transmission line; the town has made no commitment. Council members supported keeping several route options open while putting existing homes first. Twelve people spoke, asking the town to press for routes over public land and away from farms, homes and two private airstrips. The council also planned to review two agriculture protection area applications on Oct. 28, with planning commission review Nov. 3 and possible council action Nov. 10.
From the draft minutes. Updated November 3, 2026.
In brief
3 items came up for a decision or discussion: 3 discussed.
1 item here is tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
5 members were present.
Residents raised transmission line route, farmland and airstrips, property values, and public lands alternatives.
The previous City Council meeting was on September 23, 2026: Leeds council approves private cemetery with conditions, moves a 40-acre annexation petition forward and picks CityInspect software
The next one was on October 28, 2026: Leeds council to consider Silver Reef Investments disconnection ordinance and boundary-action notice
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Three Peaks to Purgatory Flat transmission line | Discussed |
| Agriculture protection area applications | Discussed |
| Staff reports | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 9a · Roads and utilities
Three Peaks to Purgatory Flat transmission line
Discussed
Mayor Peterson described Salt Lake County's mapped utility corridor approach and proposed exploring one for Washington County; surrounding mayors and two county commissioners expressed interest and a meeting with Rocky Mountain Power is being pursued. He said other routes face constraints including incomplete corridors, protected wilderness and insufficient right-of-way width. A corridor would need to be wider than 150 feet and could require land exchanges or easements. Council members supported keeping multiple options open while prioritizing existing homes and recommended seeking support from state representatives. The mayor said construction could be about four years away, permitting was expected to begin in 2026, and Rocky Mountain Power should publicly disclose decision checkpoints. No vote was taken.
- Line: 345 kV, Rocky Mountain Power
- Corridor width: more than 150 feet
Item 9a · Other
Agriculture protection area applications
Discussed
Two applications were received, with notices posted near the properties and a 15-day notice period. The council planned to review comments and possible boundary changes Oct. 28, then refer the applications to the county agricultural committee and planning commission, with planning commission review expected Nov. 3 and possible council action Nov. 10.
- Council review Oct. 28; planning commission Nov. 3; council action possibly Nov. 10
Item 10 · Other
Staff reports
Discussed
Councilmember Allen said the landfill added three entry lanes. Councilmember Furley said Leeds would join Hurricane City's bid process for road surface sealing and that Rocks and More Excavation planned to begin the Silver Meadows culvert replacement the next week. The town posted a part-time public works position and received two applications. Fire Chief Butterfield reported 523 calls in the prior month, 406 EMS and 117 fire-related.
What residents said
Transmission line routeFarmland and airstripsProperty valuesPublic lands alternatives
Residents asked the council to push for a route over public land (Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service or the desert tortoise reserve) rather than private farmland; several cited effects on farming, property value, two private airstrips and health concerns, and some proposed a residents' group or petition. One described a conversation with a Rocky Mountain Power right-of-way specialist who said separate routes are needed for redundancy against wildfire and that BLM land is difficult to deal with; other speakers said company representatives spoke of seeking the path of least resistance. Speakers asked the council to demand regular updates and public decision checkpoints.