Council advances four SR-248 alternatives and continues Treasure Hill easement
December 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
At a special meeting the council reached consensus to advance four SR-248 alternatives (reversible lanes, dedicated bus lanes, light rail, automated guideway transit) for UDOT study, reviewed a scaled-down SR-224 bus rapid transit plan and continued the Treasure Hill conservation easement to December 19. No votes were taken on those items.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item IV.1 · Roads and utilities
Re-Create 248 transit study: purpose, need and alternatives screening
Discussed
Staff and a UDOT engineer presented purpose and need statements and 12 alternatives for SR-248: gondola, one-way loop, reversible flex lanes, dedicated bus lanes, light rail or streetcar, automated guideway transit, Rail Trail alignment, EV tunnel, widening, commuter rail, minor improvements and no action. Four are preferred: reversible flex lanes, dedicated bus lanes, light rail and automated guideway transit. Mayor Worel summarized consensus to advance those four and have UDOT develop them before seeking public input. Council Member Rubell objected to singling out low-income groups; Council Member Dickey urged not overpromising on traffic relief and did not find automated guideway practical; Council Member Parigian did not want public input on light rail and wanted widening at the tunnels studied.
Item IV.2 · Roads and utilities
Bus rapid transit on SR-224, continued from joint meeting
Discussed
High Valley Transit said it withdrew the earlier $20 million request and scaled the project down, with dedicated lanes for 1.5 miles from White Barn to Thaynes Canyon Drive and parcel impacts cut from 62 to 31. Slides showed $66.75 million obligated against a $90 million cost; the minutes cite a $12.25 million funding gap while slides cite $8.25 million, and the record does not resolve this. Next steps: contractor selection in December 2024, a memorandum of understanding in February 2025, pricing in March and funding commitments in June. Council Member Rubell supports BRT but opposes road widening; Mayor Worel asked that the MOU return to a joint meeting. No vote. Council Member Dickey left at 2:25 p.m.
- Budget$20.0 million
- Budget$90.0 million
Item V.1 · Other
Treasure Hill conservation easement
Continued
Staff and the Summit Land Conservancy presented a draft conservation easement that memorializes encroachments such as stairs, patios and retaining walls and addresses allowed uses, including e-bikes. Sellers asked for a two-year delay before the easement takes effect. Staff recommended approval after direction on encroachments and a ski lift easement, and removal of the patios and one set of stairs. The council continued the item to December 19. Speakers included John Stafsholt, who noted 77% of voters approved the open space purchase and opposed new trees due to wildfire risk.
Other
Council communications: Planning Commission terms and temporary pickleball courts
Discussed
Council Member Rubell asked to recruit now for two Planning Commission seats whose holdover members are serving past expired terms; the council agreed. Council Member Parigian said recreation is negotiating a film studio lease for temporary winter pickleball courts, which needs a conditional use permit; it was placed on the December 12 agenda.
What residents said
SR-248 congestionBRT funding gapTreasure Hill encroachments and wildfire risk
Brenden Weinstein opposed a gondola over the Rail Trail; John Stafsholt, Sarah Brown and another resident spoke on the Treasure Hill easement.