Sandy planning commission recommends rezoning to allow adult day program at 11339 S. 700 East

The Sandy City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a rezoning of the property at 11339 South 700 East from CBC (Convenience Commercial) to PO (Professional Office) to allow an adult day program operator to lease part of the building.

Long-range planning manager Jake Warner told the commission the application, submitted by Winslow Burton on behalf of Empowering You, requests the rezoning because the adult day program is not an allowed use in the current CBC zone but would be allowed in the PO zone. Warner said the property abuts residential zoning to the east and north and that staff generally considers office uses to be more compatible with adjacent residences than some retail uses allowed under the CBC zone.

Applicants Jane Telfa and Peter Brown said Empowering You would operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no evening or weekend programming. Telfa said the program would typically serve 10–15 participants and could reach 25–30 at maximum; participants’ ages would range roughly from 18 to 60. She described indoor therapeutic activities, a sensory room and a high staff-to-participant supervision ratio; Brown said participant transportation would be provided by small vans rather than large buses. Neighbors and staff asked questions about parking, floor location and whether the suite has an elevator; the applicants confirmed the program would occupy a first-floor suite.

Two neighbors spoke during the public hearing. Morgan Bush, a back-yard neighbor at 11304 Dry Stone, said he supports the rezoning and the proposed use, calling it an amenity for the neighborhood. Virtual commenter Tricia Endersby said she supports the concept but asked whether the rezoning would be limited to this operator and whether another, potentially incompatible, use could occupy the site if Empowering You did not proceed.

After public comment and brief discussion, a commissioner moved that the commission forward a positive recommendation to the City Council for the zone change; the motion carried on a roll-call vote of commissioners present. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the City Council will make the final decision.

The applicants said they are committed to limiting outdoor use, minimizing noise, maintaining supervision at all times and being good neighbors. Staff told the commission that a list of permitted and conditional uses for both zones is available online and that anyone reviewing the council packet should consult that list for details about what other uses are allowed under CBC versus PO.