Council approves Mountainous Planning District Planning Commission appointments for Elizabeth Davis and Ulrich Brunhart

Salt Lake County Council approved two appointments to the Mountainous Planning District Planning Commission during the March 18 meeting.

Ryan, regional planning and program manager for planning and transportation in the Office of Regional Development, introduced the candidates. "Elizabeth Davis will be filling, if approved today, the vacant seat for the unincorporated or incorporated seat for the Mountainous Planning District. She is a resident of South Jordan, and she has some experience actually working for the county in the recorder's office," Ryan said. "Ulrich Brunhart ... is a resident of Brighton and he will be filling the Alta Brighton or Mountainous Planning District seat and he is a builder."

Council members asked a few administrative questions about remaining unincorporated seats and encouraged staff to recruit more applicants who live in unincorporated areas. Ryan and other staff said two unincorporated seats remain open and that recruiting unincorporated residents has been difficult, noting some seat term and annexation timing issues.

A motion to approve both appointments (item 8.1) passed by voice vote. The new commissioners will be recommended to the mayor for final appointment and will be available to serve once the mayor's process is completed.

Background: The Municipal Services District coordinates recruitment for planning commissioners and the mayor recommends candidates for county planning commissions. Staff said the appointments aim to provide a mix of development and administrative experience on mountain area planning panels.

Next steps: Staff to continue recruitment for remaining unincorporated seats and to coordinate mayoral recommendation and appointment processing.