Planning commission approves preliminary subdivision for Copper Rim phases 5–9

The West Jordan Planning Commission on Jan. 21 approved preliminary subdivision plats for Copper Rim phases 5 through 9, a residential expansion on the east side of the Mountain View Corridor, by a 6–0 vote.

The approval covers 319 lots on approximately 67.92 acres and clears the way for the developer to pursue final plats and subsequent construction approvals. The planning staff recommended approval, finding the preliminary plats consistent with the previously updated preliminary development plan and the master development agreement.

Commissioners and staff said the approval is for preliminary subdivision layout only; final plats for each phase will return to staff for administrative final approval and review of specific construction details. “We would expect to see those at a final plat as opposed to this preliminary plat,” a staff member said during the hearing.

Residents who live in earlier Copper Rim phases testified at the public hearing that the development so far has not delivered the amenity package they expected. “I am a little bit disappointed that we're not getting more amenities,” said resident Stacia Karen, who said she moved to Copper Rim about three years ago. Several speakers raised questions about irrigation problems, dead landscaping and on-street parking pressures. “Do we know does the developer know when we have the water issues fixed before the new phases are going in?” asked Nate Hurst by phone.

The developer’s representative, Sam Barlow, and an owner’s representative said the project team is aware of irrigation and maintenance issues and intends to address irrigation repairs in the spring. “We are working with FCS management on fixing that issue… we fully intend to fix that in the spring,” a representative for the owner said during the meeting.

Staff noted that some plan changes prompted the resubmittal: phase 9’s previously planned senior housing was replaced by single-family homes and phase 6 was reconfigured to better follow an existing dry-wash corridor. Staff said phases 5, 7 and 8 remain largely as initially approved. The published mailed notice mistakenly listed different totals (432 lots on 93.02 acres); staff corrected that in the hearing, noting the correct figures are 319 lots on 67.92 acres.

Commissioner Hollingsworth moved to approve the preliminary subdivision plats for Copper Rim phases 5 through 9, and Commissioner Allen seconded. The motion carried 6–0 with one commissioner excused.

With this preliminary approval, the next steps are final plat approvals and construction review. Staff said those final approvals will evaluate turnarounds, emergency access and final amenity locations, and must meet the city’s standards before individual phases can be recorded or built.

Votes at a glance: the planning commission voted to approve the preliminary subdivision for Copper Rim phases 5–9 by a 6–0 vote; final plat and construction approvals remain to be completed at the staff level.