The Pleasant Grove Planning Commission on Dec. 12 recommended approval of a vicinity plan amendment requested by property owner Bruce Black to allow a cul‑de‑sac at the end of 1930 North near 1592 West 1800 North.

Jacob Hawkins, a planner with the Pleasant Grove planning department, told commissioners the city’s existing vicinity plan shows a planned connection from West 1800 North to West 1930 North but the applicant seeks to “cap off 1930 North in a cul de sac” and build a single home served by a long driveway from 1800 North. Hawkins said staff supports the amendment if the applicant obtains a variance permitting a cul‑de‑sac longer than the 650‑foot maximum allowed by city code and constructs any required frontage improvements on 1800 North.

The nut of the proposal is practical: Hawkins said because the applicant intends to create only one additional lot, the city’s requirement to build a connecting road is not needed now and “no property is landlocked and all existing development has adequate service and access,” provided the listed conditions are met.

During the hearing, commissioners and residents raised access, utilities and emergency‑vehicle turnaround questions. Commissioner Butler asked whether utilities would come off 1800 North; Hawkins answered utilities for the new lot would be served from 1800 North while the existing homes on 1930 North would remain served from the existing road. Hawkins also noted that temporary dead‑end streets longer than 700 feet have been permitted previously with planning commission approval, but that the proposed permanent cul‑de‑sac will require a variance because 1930 North already exceeds the normal maximum length.

Bruce Black, the property owner and applicant, said he bought the parcel in April 2023, has improved the existing farmhouse and that “my intent all along was to do with the improvements on 1800. I knew that was gonna be expected. I don't have any issues with that.”

Neighbors who spoke during public comment expressed a mix of support and caution. Brian Stevens, who said he and his wife own the property immediately east of Black’s parcel, said they have “no intention of subdividing” and asked only to note their interest in preserving pasture for horses. Milt Rasmussen, who said he has lived on his property 47 years, praised Black’s cleanup of the site and said he supports the proposal. Laren Kingsford pointed out an existing temporary turnaround marked on a nearby driveway and said neighbors are familiar with the existing arrangement. Resident and civil engineer Marty Beaumont urged commissioners to consider the storm‑drain configuration and easements: if the cul‑de‑sac is terminated now, the city could inherit obligations for a backyard storm drain system and a future variance will be required for the length of the cul‑de‑sac.

Commission discussion emphasized that approval carries conditions intended to prevent future access or utility problems: the applicant must (1) submit and obtain a variance to allow the longer cul‑de‑sac, (2) construct required frontage improvements on 1800 North, (3) record a two‑lot plat, and (4) meet final planning, engineering and fire‑department requirements. Commissioner Martineau moved to recommend approval adopting the staff report exhibits and conditions; Commissioner Redding seconded. The motion passed.

The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded for administrative processing and the variance will be considered by the hearing officer on Jan. 7, 2025, before any final city council action. The record shows an annexation of nearby land occurred in August 2023 and the applicant submitted a building permit for a single‑family residence on Oct. 7, 2024.