Tooele reviews business‑park concept; city, UDOT and Army Corps steps could speed road extension

Tooele City officials reviewed a concept Aug. 6 for a proposed business park that divides parcels into retail/office, light industrial and heavy industrial areas and aligns future roads to support industrial access. John Perez, Tooele City economic development director, presented the draft concept and said it is based on current parcel ownership and topography. “This is the most up‑to‑date concept that I received prior to today,” Perez said, and described a buffer and right‑of‑way along the eastern edge to separate industrial uses from nearby residences. Council members and staff discussed potential heavy industrial acreage west of the proposed 1200 West alignment to facilitate rail‑served operations. Staff and industry contacts told the council that building rail through the park as a city‑led project was not financially feasible; companies that operate rail service said demand in the planned area did not justify the capital cost. The concept preserves rail easements and allows private businesses to build their own spurs off Union Pacific if they choose. City staff also described progress on a UDOT easement across Army Depot property that would allow the city to construct a temporary road and accelerate access to the park before a future Mid Valley Highway project. A staff speaker said the Army Corps of Engineers had issued a permit allowing UDOT to go onto the depot property for design or construction activity and that a final easement was expected to be completed later in the year. No formal action was taken. Staff said the concept will proceed to the planning commission for review and that the city can refine zoning boundaries and permitted uses before any rezoning occurs.