Planning commission unanimously backs forwarding transportation master plan update to city council

The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission voted unanimously May 15 to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council for the city’s updated Transportation Master Plan.

City Engineer McDan McCray presented the update, telling commissioners the plan updates the city’s traffic demand model and functional classification of future roads to reflect expected development, regional connections and changes since the last plan in 2022. “We have a traffic demand model that looks at all the new development, what’s gonna be coming in,” McCray said.

The plan highlights new arterial and collector streets, including proposed connections in Sunrise Meadows at the city’s north edge, a westward connection from 1200 North to Mount Saratoga Boulevard, and a new local connection from the Woodhaven Boulevard signal north into Mount Saratoga. McCray also described planned links to neighboring Eagle Mountain City near the new high school and a proposed Mid Valley connector over the mountains into Eagle Mountain.

Commissioners pressed staff on funding and regional coordination. Commissioner Hill noted the scale of projects and asked how they are funded; McCray and staff explained a mix of sources is expected, including Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) allocations through the TIP, UDOT projects, and local transportation impact fees paid by developers. Hill cited a recent Mountain View Corridor project that ultimately cost about $20 million with a $10 million MAG contribution as an example of mixed funding.

Commissioner Kern asked about coordination with adjacent jurisdictions and regional plans; staff said the master plan compiles MAG and UDOT plans with the city’s, and that disagreements between jurisdictions sometimes result in alternative alignments being shown in regional planning documents. Kern also urged exploring roundabouts, saying studies show they reduce accidents and improve flow, and asked staff to consider them more widely.

Multiple commissioners raised public communication and implementation concerns. Commissioner Miles asked how the city will communicate long-term relief plans to residents; staff said the city uses social media, newsletters, open houses and posts the plan packet online. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that funding and regional coordination will determine the timing of improvements and urged continued advocacy for MAG and UDOT funding.

After discussion, Commissioner Hill moved to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council; Commissioner Wheldon seconded. The commission voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission packet and staff presentation include maps showing 2050 functional classifications, a funding section describing MAG and federal funding mechanisms, and references to the MAG RTP/TIP and UDOT regional projects. Staff said the plan will be available with the planning packet and, once adopted by council, on the city website.

Planning staff also noted a trails master-plan update is underway and will be presented later this year; commissioners asked staff to ensure pedestrian and micromobility (e-bikes, scooters) safety are included in future work.