Residents urge West Valley City to preserve The Ridge as staff seeks appraisals

Dozens of residents urged the West Valley City Council on Oct. 14 to preserve The Ridge Golf Course and reject any plan to sell the publicly owned property for private development.

The most vocal theme during a lengthy public-comment period was the course's community value: veterans' programs, high-school tournaments, daily recreational use and habitat for local wildlife. David Rock, a 41-year West Valley resident, told the council that the Ridge "is a gathering place for everyone" and warned: "Once the open space is gone, it's gone forever." Brian Adams, Utah State Director of the Veterans Golf Association, described a veterans league and a "Veterans on the Course" program that he said provides social connection and mental-health benefits for veterans.

Why it matters: The Ridge sits on land that residents say is irreplaceable open space and supports community activities that would be difficult to replace if redeveloped. Speakers pressed the council for transparency about any contact with developers and for consideration of alternatives that preserve the course while addressing city budget needs.

City Manager Ty Peely (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Peely) told the council he had brought the matter to the body to explore options, not to effect a sale. Peely said staff previously received offers and obtained appraisals: operational appraisals listed the Ridge at roughly $5 million and Stonebridge at roughly $6 million, but separate land-valuation figures referenced in the meeting placed each property's land value far higher (Peely stated figures of "over $220 million" for the Ridge land and "over $300 million" for Stonebridge). He said the council authorized staff only to obtain an appraisal and an "alter" survey (a detailed title/land report) and that the alter survey is still pending and could take 60–90 days. "I brought this to the council," Peely said, "and the only thumbs-up they gave me was to get the appraisal...they gave me authorization to go get an alter survey. That alter survey is not completed." Peely emphasized staff had not been directed to sell the property.

What residents said: Speakers emphasized several recurring points—The Ridge hosts veterans programs and youth leagues, supports local tournaments that bring economic activity, and provides wildlife habitat. Robin Ralph Griffith, a Purple Heart recipient, said The Ridge was "one of only two in Utah that has a Veterans League," and urged the council to preserve that programming. Multiple speakers asked whether there had been public meetings or transparency on any discussions about potential development.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked commenters and reiterated that no formal discussion or decision to sell had been scheduled. Peely said the alter survey should be returned in a few weeks and that staff would bring the information back to the council for further discussion. No motion to sell was made at the meeting; the only formal action recorded during the opening portion of the meeting was the approval of minutes from the Oct. 14 meeting by voice vote.

Background and fiscal context: Peely described several fiscal pressures facing the city — upcoming debt service, infrastructure and staffing needs — and said staff is reviewing city assets to understand options for addressing one-time and recurring costs. He framed the appraisal and alter survey as a due-diligence step to determine whether options exist, not as an authorization to sell.

The next procedural step is for staff to present the alter survey and appraisal results to the council when they are complete; Peely estimated that would occur "in a few weeks." The council then could choose whether to open a formal discussion, seek public hearings, or take no further action.