Sandy council adopts updates to Chapter 12.08 to align sidewalks, curbs and driveways with newer code

The Sandy City Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 2024-22, which amends Chapter 12.08 of the municipal code to modernize standards for sidewalks, curbs and driveway approaches and to remove outdated administrative references.

Kelly, the staff presenter, told council the chapter had not been substantially revised since 1973 and contained obsolete language that referenced roles no longer responsible for right-of-way decisions. "We discovered a bunch of references to the building official and other positions around the city as having authority over the right of way," Kelly said, and recommended replacing those references with the Public Works department where appropriate.

The staff report also removed an unusual 1973 provision that would have obligated the city to pay half the cost of a developer'ordered survey. Staff recommended holding the hearing and adopting the ordinance to bring Chapter 12.08 into alignment with the Transportation System Plan and the city's current standards.

No members of the public registered to speak during the hearing. Councilors asked clarifying questions about specific terms ("landscape strip" versus "planter strip") and the interaction between older five-foot sidewalks in existing neighborhoods and the six-foot standard in new subdivisions under the TSP; staff said the change applies to new construction and does not automatically require existing narrow rights-of-way to be rebuilt.

Council approved first reading, then moved immediately to a second reading and adoption; the motions passed unanimously.

The ordinance updates procedural references, clarifies development standards for sidewalks and frontage improvements, and removes obsolete fine amounts in favor of consolidated references in Chapter 1.18. Staff will implement the updated standards and update code cross-references as necessary.