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Commissioners press for stronger parks protections and clearer economic-development targets in General Plan update
Summary
During the April 8 meeting commissioners criticized the updated General Plan's economic chapter as lacking detail and discussed park acreage, connectivity and a recommendation to reserve 4 acres at the former Westbrook Elementary site for future open space.
At the April 8 Taylorsville Planning Commission meeting, Long-Range Planner Mark McGrath walked commissioners through Chapters 5 and 6 of the proposed General Plan update, focusing on economic prosperity, parks, recreation and open space.
On parks, McGrath said Taylorsville had 11 parks totaling more than 236 acres (about 4.14 acres per capita) and noted a projected population increase of roughly 16,600 residents over the next 50 years, which he said would require about 16 additional acres of open space. Commissioners questioned the accuracy and assumptions behind a map of walkable service areas and urged staff to compare it with known trail access points and the master trails overlay. McGrath recommended reserving 4 acres at the former Westbrook Elementary site for future park space.
Commissioners discussed pedestrian barriers to park access, citing 5400 South as a major impediment, and suggested emphasizing smaller "mini" parks and improved connectivity in redevelopment decisions. Commissioner David Wright raised maintenance and use questions; commissioners also noted county-operated and co-owned facilities such as the Vista Softball Complex and Salt Lake Community College as community green-space assets.
On economic development, commissioners including Cindy Wilkey and Lynette Wendel criticized Chapter 5 for having "not a great deal of substance" and for removing maps and targeted-place recommendations. Commissioner Quigley said the city seemed to have "given up on the heart of Taylorsville," language McGrath responded to by highlighting potential for redevelopment along 4700 South and 2700 West and calling that intersection an "A+ location deserving of an A+ development." Commissioners asked that the critical portions removed from Chapter 5 be restored and that the chapter present clearer programs and maps to support targeted redevelopment and commercial tax-base improvement.
Mr. McGrath said he would return with the chapter revisions and that staff had tested robotic mowers for park maintenance; commissioners generally supported keeping green space a priority in redevelopment decisions. The commission did not adopt the General Plan at the meeting; discussion will continue when staff returns with the revised material.
