Sandy City receives approval for new stationary plan amid regional growth initiatives

The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) held a significant meeting on March 27, 2025, focusing on regional growth and transportation planning in Utah. The meeting highlighted the announcement of new project awards under the Transportation and Land Use Connection (TLC) program, which aims to enhance community planning and infrastructure development.

Mayor Bob Dandoy, chair of the Regional Growth Committee, opened the session by introducing key participants, including Morgan County Commissioner Raylene Blocker and UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras. The meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including local governments and planning agencies.

Meg Pageant, the Community Economic Development (CED) Director, presented the TLC program, which supports planning initiatives that integrate transportation and land use. This year, the program awarded over $1.5 million to fund 13 new projects across the region, with a focus on maximizing public infrastructure investments and improving community access to opportunities. Notable projects include small area plans for city centers and updates to zoning ordinances in several municipalities.

The meeting also addressed the certification of Sandy City's stationary plan, which is a requirement for cities near fixed guideway transit stations. Brian Head, a community planner, detailed the plan's objectives, which include enhancing housing, environmental conditions, and transportation connections. Sandy City's plan is particularly significant as it marks the first comprehensive update since the 1980s, reflecting extensive public engagement and input.

Mayor Zoltanski of Sandy expressed gratitude for the support received from WFRC and emphasized the importance of community involvement in shaping the city's future growth. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration and feedback from local planners to ensure that the updated land use vision aligns with community needs.

Overall, the WFRC meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to integrate transportation planning with land use strategies, fostering sustainable growth and development in Utah's communities. The next steps include gathering feedback on the draft land use layer and preparing for future amendments to the regional growth plan.