Council adopts general-plan amendment to remove several planned roads and reroute trails near Pear Tree Loma

The Midway City Council on Aug. 26 adopted Ordinance 2025-25 to amend the Midway City General Plan by removing several future roads and trails in the area south of Midway Crest and near the Pear Tree Loma property.

City planning staff told the council the application came from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, owner of an 18-acre parcel in city limits that is proposing to remove an east–west planned street line along the property’s eastern boundary. City planner Michael (last name not provided in the record) said the request also prompted staff to review connected segments on adjoining parcels — including county parcels owned by the Whites and the Sheeps — because removing one link changes connectivity on the larger network.

“The general plan is a guiding light regarding legislative actions in the city,” Michael said, describing how the master street and trail maps direct future construction: if a road or trail is shown and a property is later subdivided, the developer is generally required to build the mapped connection unless other provisions apply.

Nut graf: The council weighed two priorities in voting to remove the mapped connections — preserving open space tied to the Pear Tree Loma conservation effort, and maintaining adequate circulation and emergency access. The council concluded the changes recommended by the planning commission aligned with existing city commitments to conserve portions of the Pear Tree Loma property while directing staff and the planning commission to pursue a trail realignment to connect 850 South to existing public trails in Midway Crest.

Key points raised at the hearing: - Applicant and site: The ordinance stems from a request by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to delete a specific planned road along its eastern boundary; the church submitted concept drawings that also showed alternative access options. Staff noted the church site is 18 acres and that the north 6 acres were proposed for a stake center; the city noted the school district had expressed interest in 12 acres for a future elementary school during prior planning discussions. - Conservation and trails: Councilmembers and staff said the city’s recent commitment of funds toward a conservation easement on the Pear Tree Loma (40-acre) property reduced the need for some mapped connections; staff recommended moving one trail to follow the Pear Tree Loma southern and eastern boundary and stub to Hughes property to preserve a public route while protecting open space. - Connectivity and emergency access: The school district (represented at the hearing) requested at least two points of access to the potential future school site; district representatives urged the council to retain two mapped access routes or otherwise ensure alternative access because “for a school to work well, it needs at least two accesses,” the district said in public comment.

Council action and votes: Councilmember Corbin moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-25 adopting the planning commission recommendation and findings in favor of the amendment. The motion was seconded and, after discussion, the council recorded affirmative votes on the motion. The roll call included recorded affirmatives from Councilmember Craig and Councilmember Kevin and at least one other affirmative voice on the record; the mayor declared the motion passed.

What the ordinance does: The ordinance removes the specific planned road on the church parcel and also removes the related planned stubs and the 550 South alignment that connected into the area shown on the master map; it also removes certain trail lines and instructs staff to pursue the trail realignment that follows Pear Tree Loma’s edge and will stub to the Hughes property for an eventual connection to Midway Crest.

Authorities and planning context: Staff noted the current street and trail maps were adopted in 2022–23 as part of the most recent general-plan update, but the city’s general plan also repeatedly (the staff memo cites more than 30 references) emphasizes protecting open space and pursuing thoughtful transportation connectivity. The planning commission held the required public hearing and recommended approval without conditions; the council accepted the recommendation and adopted the ordinance.

Next steps and conditions: The council directed staff to coordinate the trail realignment with the county and with property owners and to document the changes in the next published general-plan maps. The city’s actions do not directly alter property ownership or preclude future proposals; the council noted that if a school or other developer later seeks formal entitlement, normal land-use review and public-notice requirements would apply.

Speakers: Michael (city planning staff); Paul Burke (school district representative); Michelle McDonald (architect for the applicant); Andy Garland (Planning Commission chair); Councilmember Corbin (mover); Councilmembers Craig, Kevin and other councilmembers present who participated in the roll call.

Ending: With the adoption of Ordinance 2025-25, Midway’s planning maps will be updated to reflect the removal of the named future streets and trails; staff will administratively pursue the trail realignment and return any future related proposals to the council for formal land-use review.