Pleasant Grove planning commission denies request to remove proposed 900 South connector

The Pleasant Grove Planning Commission voted on June 12 to deny a vicinity‑plan amendment requested by property owner Ricardo Bonilla that would have moved or removed a proposed connecting road between 900 South and 1000 South.

Jacob Hawkins, a planner with the city, told the commission the existing vicinity plan — originally amended by the City Council in February 2024 — shows three east‑west connections that help utility and street connectivity in the area and that Storybook Plat A, a subdivision approved January 9, 2025, constructs its half of a right‑of‑way on the Kelsons’ property. Hawkins said staff’s recommendation was to forward a recommendation of denial to the City Council because the proposed amendments would reduce access and create a permanent half‑width road with no plan to complete it.

The applicant, Ricardo Bonilla, who owns 1040 East 900 South, said the connecting segment would impose an unfair financial and safety burden on his family and would “never be more than half a road.” Bonilla told commissioners that the slope, lack of utility access without full construction of 1000 South, and a city‑retained engineer’s assessment made full construction impractical. Abigail Bonilla, his wife, additionally raised concerns about drainage, elevation differences and the road’s proximity to the house, saying the current plan places the road “just 12 feet from my bedroom” if built to full width and closer during some development scenarios.

Several nearby residents and a local excavation contractor spoke during the public hearing. Steve Phelan, an excavation contractor, said the current alignment “puts a $100,000 burden on the Bonillas” while delivering little or no benefit to them. Other neighbors cited safety and irrigation concerns and questioned whether the proposed connector would materially improve access, given Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) had removed 1000 South from its long‑range, regionally significant funding list.

Neil Winterton, Pleasant Grove public works director, responded to safety and funding questions and described the role of a vicinity plan as a guiding document for road, pedestrian and utility connectivity rather than a site‑by‑site construction commitment. “The city doesn't intend to spend any money building this road here. I wanna make that clear,” Winterton said. He explained that developers are generally responsible for building half‑roads and that Storybook Plat A would build the half‑road on the Kelsons’ property; the Bonillas would not be required to construct their half unless they choose to develop.

During deliberations commissioners discussed whether alternative vicinity plan amendments would better serve future development and utilities. Several commissioners said the existing vicinity plan better supports future utility networks and reduces the chance of flag lots and awkward access patterns. Commissioner Fugle moved to deny the Bonillas’ requested amendment; Commissioner Trickler seconded. The chair called for the vote; commissioners voiced their agreement and the motion to deny was carried.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to the City Council; it does not itself revise the vicinity plan or change any recorded plats. The staff record notes Storybook Plat A has preliminary planning approval and final engineering approval and would construct the Kelsons’ half of the right‑of‑way on their own property. If the Bonillas or a future owner subdivide the property in the future, the remainder of the road could be required at that time under city development standards.

For now, the existing vicinity plan remains in effect, and the planning commission forwarded its recommendation of denial to the City Council.