Cottonwood Heights planning commission reviews draft general plan, schedules joint work session with council

The Cottonwood Heights Planning Commission on Sept. 3 reviewed a draft of the city—s updated general plan and mapped out public outreach and next steps, including a joint work session with the City Council on Oct. 21 and a target public hearing on Nov. 5.

The draft, presented by consultants and staff, would replace the general plan adopted near the city—s incorporation in February 2005 and is intended to guide land use, housing, transportation, water use and preservation, economic development, recreation and sustainability for the next decade. Aubrey Larson, a consultant on the project, said the document treats the plan as an advisory roadmap rather than a regulatory text: "A general plan is required... it really is meant to just be a road map for the community," Larson said.

Why it matters: State law requires cities to adopt a comprehensive general plan and, as of 2022, to include a water-use and preservation element. The city—s draft addresses those statutorily required elements (land use, housing, transportation and water use) and adds chapters on economic development, recreation and sustainability. City staff and consultants told commissioners the plan is intended to coordinate with several existing and recently completed planning efforts, including the town-center planning work, the Fort Union master plan, form-based code work and other corridor/master plans.

What commissioners heard and discussed - Scope and schedule: Consultants asked the commission to review the draft in detail and return comments before the Oct. 21 joint work session, saying the goal is to provide…