Herriman confirms Trader Joe’s and Target for Town Center; city explains developer-driven process

Herriman City confirmed on its Nov. 4 Herrimanology podcast that Trader Joe’s and Target are planned for the Commons at Herriman Town Center, west of Mountain View Corridor and just north of 134th South near the CVS Pharmacy. "We finally get to say it out loud," said John LaFollette, communications manager for Herriman City. Sandra Llewellyn, the city’s economic development coordinator, added, "The building that you see coming up out of the ground is our new Trader Joe's."

The hosts said the announcements follow years of planning and partnership with developers. "We don't, as a city, get to decide," LaFollette said, describing the city’s role as setting zoning and providing infrastructure while developers and retailers negotiate tenancy. Llewellyn said the Commons’ developer, Elevated Properties, proposed the two tenants in discussions years ago and the city withheld public details until the developer confirmed them.

LaFollette outlined how the local land-use framework constrains municipal choice: Herriman maintains commercial zones (C1, C2, mixed-use and others) with lists of permitted and conditional uses. "If a business wants to go there and they comply, we have to say yes," he said, explaining the city cannot simply pick or exclude specific retailers when a use is allowed under zoning.

Officials emphasized the economic rationale for attracting retailers. LaFollette said local sales tax is a major revenue source and helps fund local services: "If you look at your receipt on, let's say, a $100 grocery bill, Herriman City gets, like, 45 to 50¢." The officials said increasing retail options supports residents and helps pay for parks and roads.

The episode also reviewed other projects in the pipeline: an auto mall that has begun groundwork, a Holiday Inn Express near new pickleball facilities and restaurants, and continued development near Academy Village by Salt Lake Community College. Llewellyn said the city has been proactively working with developers for roughly three to three-and-a-half years to attract commercial investment.

Residents who want more detail were directed to planning commission and city council agendas, or to email communications@herriman.gov. LaFollette noted the city will present a more comprehensive economic development update to the council in the coming weeks. The podcast ended with a call for listener questions and the promise to share appropriate answers on future episodes or public agendas.