Planning Commission forwards General Plan Chapters 5 and 7 to City Council with unanimous recommendation

The Taylorsville Planning Commission voted unanimously on April 22 to forward a comprehensive update to the city’s General Plan—specifically Chapters 5 (Economic Prosperity & Resilience) and 7 (Neighborhoods)—to the City Council for review at its May 7 meeting.

Long-range Planner Mark McGrath summarized Chapters 5 and 7, focusing on neighborhood identity, housing trends and economic renewal priorities. McGrath presented 2020 census and American Community Survey figures showing that about 70.4% of Taylorsville’s residential structures are single-family homes, 25.6% are multi-family and 4% are mobile homes; owner-occupancy was reported at roughly 70% with 30% renters. He noted demographic shifts including a rise in non-white residents to approximately 40% and a growth in older residents, and said many dwellings were built between 1970 and 1990.

Discussion touched on neighborhood character, missing-middle housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and enforcement of rental ordinances. Commissioner David Wright suggested creating a standing committee to monitor General Plan progress; Commissioner Wright and others encouraged more explicit design and streetscape strategies to develop neighborhood identity over time. Commissioner Cindy Wilkey requested additional or more recent citations for an earlier-cited 2008 article and recommended SMART goals for measuring plan progress.

On economic strategy (Chapter 5), staff identified priority renewal areas—5400 South/Bangerter, 4700 South/2700 West (including a state office complex), Taylorsville Expressway, 4800 South/Redwood Road, the area near Salt Lake Community College and I-215/Redwood Road—and discussed how an updated General Plan and RDA master plan could make the city more attractive to developers. Community/Economic Development Director Wayne Harper explained that city actions such as property acquisition and RDA investments have spurred redevelopment in other jurisdictions, though he noted some property owners may not wish to sell.

Commissioner Cindy Wilkey moved to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council and allowed commissioners to submit final recommendations and edits to Mr. McGrath by April 30; Commissioner Mike Willardson seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The Council is scheduled to review the plan on May 7.