Planning commission clears Enbridge valve station on Canyon School District property with fencing and setback modification

The Sandy Planning Commission approved site‑plan review and a conditional use permit to allow Enbridge Gas to install an above‑ground automatic mainline shutoff valve on Canyon School District property at 9725 South State Street.

Enbridge representatives told the commission the valve is part of the company’s automation program to allow gas control to isolate line segments in the event of a rupture, which the company says improves safety and response time. “Automating this valve will give gas control the ability to isolate the gas line in the event of a rupture on the pipeline, enhancing the company's ability to respond,” Enbridge property agent Angela Barber said.

The proposal locates the above‑ground equipment inside an enclosed compound in the southwest corner of the school parking area. The site plan calls for an 8‑foot‑tall precast concrete wall along the State Street frontage and part of the north and south sides, and wrought‑iron fencing on the remaining sides. The compound will be locked and unmanned; Enbridge said it would be accessed only for maintenance, repair or emergencies.

Enbridge engineer Chad Lejo told the commission that valves and electrical cabinets will be locked and secured; “we do our due diligence to protect and secure the facility,” he said. Commission and staff discussions also addressed visual appearance and neighborhood compatibility; the applicant agreed to use drought‑resistant landscaping and to work with staff on plant species so the enclosure blends with the campus planting.

Because a code footnote for the central business district requires a 15‑foot setback for certain structures, staff asked the commission to consider a modification. Staff recommended allowing the wall to be 12.5 feet from the property line given the pre‑existing parking configuration and the school district’s site layout. The commission approved the reduced setback as part of the conditional use permit findings.

The commission passed two motions: one approving preliminary site plan review with the staff findings and conditions, and a second approving the conditional use permit with conditions. Roll call on the motions recorded: Linnece (Lanise) Stavenport (yes), Cameron Duncan (yes), Dave Bromley (yes), Ron Mortimer (yes), Craig Kitterman (yes), Steve Wrigley (yes) and David Hart (yes). Both motions carried.

Background: The installation is a small, unmanned utility enclosure intended for safety automation rather than customer service. Enbridge said it would time construction to summer months when school is out to minimize traffic and disruption. The commission required the applicant to finalize landscape plans with staff and to implement perimeter security measures; staff will verify those elements before permit issuance.