Pleasant Grove staff recommend land-dedication agreement with Blackhurst to preserve future access and pedestrian link

Neil (Public Works director) told the Pleasant Grove City Council during the Jan. 8 work session that staff is recommending an agreement with a property owner identified as Blackhurst to dedicate a 56-foot road right-of-way to the city and allow a neighboring developer temporary use of that parcel until the developer completes future subdivision work.

The proposal would transfer title of the dedicated right-of-way to the city when the plat is recorded, provide gated emergency access and pedestrian connectivity to Canyon Road, and include a 10‑year sunset clause after which the city may elect to construct the road. Neil said the agreement is conditional on the planning commission approving the developer's subdivision and on the recording of the plat.

Why it matters: the parcel sits north of 26100 North and adjacent to a long-term planned road connection that staff and public safety officials described as a poor long-term connection because of a sharp curve and sight-line issues. Staff said allowing a cul-de-sac and a dedicated pedestrian corridor would reduce future conflict points while preserving emergency access should the primary route be blocked.

Public works director Neil summarized the trade-offs: “I believe that having this cul de sac, having pedestrian access out to Canyon Road and having this eventually tie through is the best thing for our city.” He also told council that city public-safety staff and the fire marshal participated in crafting the arrangement.

The planned arrangement would also permit the property owner and developer to maintain existing irrigation crossings and a wheel line under a separate recorded easement tied to the eventual plat. Neil told council the city would record the road dedication as part of the subdivision process, making the right-of-way city property on the county tax rolls.

Council members raised questions about why the city would not build the road immediately and about emergency egress. Neil answered that Pleasant Grove does not build subdivision streets up front — developers typically build the surface improvements when they develop. He also said gated access would be usable by emergency responders: “They can come through that,” Neil said, referring to the pedestrian gate and emergency access point.

Legal staff and city counsel participated in drafting the agreement. Tina (staff counsel) answered clarifying questions about title and easements, stating that the dedication of right-of-way transfers title to the city and that the irrigation and other crossings would be addressed in the plat and related easements.

Next steps: staff told council they plan to bring the agreement to the formal council meeting for action, and recommended a motion conditioned on recording of the plat or on planning commission approval so the planning commission will have proof of the secondary access needed to approve the subdivision. The planning commission was scheduled to consider the subdivision at its next hearing.

Ending: No formal council vote on the agreement was recorded in the work session; staff said the item will appear on the council agenda with a conditional motion to be finalized after the planning commission/plat steps are complete.