Council extends Bransford rezone two years and sets Bonanza 5-acre RFP direction
February 27, 2025, 2:48 p.m.
The council unanimously extended the Bransford parcel rezone for two years, barred elected officials from the Nonprofit Services Advisory Committee, and gave direction on a Bonanza 5-acre request for proposals with a roughly $30 million city contribution. Work sessions covered SR-224 bus rapid transit and the land use appeal system, and Deer Valley presented a public infrastructure district request.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| SR-224 bus rapid transit alignment update (work session) | Discussed |
| Land use appeal authority review (work session) | Discussed |
| Consent agenda: shade structure and bus shelter artwork | Approved · 5-0 |
| Nonprofit Services Advisory Committee conflict rules (Ordinance 2025-02) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Bransford parcel rezone sunset extension (Ordinance 2025-03) | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| Bonanza 5-acre site request for proposals update | Discussed |
| Deer Valley public infrastructure district request | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item A · Roads and utilities
SR-224 bus rapid transit alignment update (work session)
Discussed
Transportation staff answered earlier questions on congestion, 2050 travel-time modeling, lane widening of 9 to 10 feet and stop ridership (1,914 at Thaynes Canyon Drive; 380 at Snow Creek Drive). Funding includes a $25 million FTA RAISE grant and a $30 million UDOT grant. Council Members Rubell and Parigian did not support widening or thought the project did not fit city goals; Dickey did not want to jeopardize the UDOT relationship; Mayor Worel was concerned about funding and scope changes. Staff will analyze further and assemble a delegation to meet UDOT. No vote.
- Grant$25.0 million
- Grant$30.0 million
Item B · City code
Land use appeal authority review (work session)
Discussed
Attorneys reviewed the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment and Appeal Panel. The council agreed to start a review with the Planning Commission. Council Member Rubell favored ending the Appeal Panel; Toly, Worel and Dickey supported a trained hearing officer; Ciraco and Dickey favored on-the-record review; Parigian wanted to review the standard of review. No vote.
Item V · Contract
Consent agenda: shade structure and bus shelter artwork
Approved · 5-0
Approved a contract of up to $59,000 for an artistic shade structure at Creekside Bike Park and contracts of up to $40,000 for artwork on eight bus shelters.
- Contract$59,000 to Mark Rane
- Contract$40,000
Item VI.1 · City code
Nonprofit Services Advisory Committee conflict rules (Ordinance 2025-02)
Approved · 5-0
The council amended Section 2-8-19 to bar elected officials from serving on the committee and require recusal by members with business dealings with an applicant. No one spoke at the hearing.
Item VI.2 · Zoning
Bransford parcel rezone sunset extension (Ordinance 2025-03)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
The council extended for two years the sunset on a rezone of a six-acre pod from Recreation/Open Space to Estate, which would otherwise revert April 27, 2025, and amended conditions 3, 4, 7 and 8 of Ordinance 2023-03. The applicant also seeks an additional tipping site for 46,000 cubic yards, which returns to the Planning Commission, and a shift of final subdivision review to the commission. The Empire Pass owners association supported the tipping site and requested a change to Condition 2 allowing approved tipping sites; the applicant cited heavy snowfall, a settled lawsuit and conservation work. Council Member Dickey said it is poor policy to rezone for open space without a simultaneous plat but found the request reasonable.
- Rezone: Recreation/Open Space to Estate (six-acre pod)
- Extension: two years
Item VI.3 · Development
Bonanza 5-acre site request for proposals update
Discussed
Staff described a revised request for proposals with a ground lease at $1 a year for at least 60 years and a city contribution of about $30 million (excluding land) for underground parking, low-income housing and public space. The RFP was to publish February 28 with responses due March 31. The council gave direction by consensus: a 45-foot height limit, three years of audited financials, removal of an anchor-tenant sentence, and adding 30% area median income to goals. Council Member Rubell wanted varied commercial rents; Council Member Toly opposed subsidized commercial rents; Council Member Parigian questioned how the $30 million was chosen. No vote.
- Budget$30.0 million
Item VII.1 · Taxes and fees
Deer Valley public infrastructure district request
Discussed
Deer Valley Development Company asked for a public infrastructure district limited to Deer Valley-owned property to finance a parking structure and multi-modal center; its counsel said property tax would apply only within the district and the city would have no liability. The public/private partnership agreement was still pending. Sean Kelleher raised concerns about the owner and future sale; Sean Parker and John Stafsholt questioned the benefits and leverage. Council Member Rubell raised tax equity concerns and asked that the agreement list all financing tools; Ciraco and Dickey were supportive of working toward a deal. No vote.
What residents said
Senior center locationSR-224 wideningDeer Valley PID tax impact
Sean Parker and Debbie Stafsholt on senior center siting, Kelly Perkins on road widening and cycling, Patricia Stokes supporting a new senior center.