Planning commission backs code amendments implementing SB 284, shifts new-use rulings to City Council

The South Jordan Planning Commission on April 14 recommended that City Council adopt legislative code amendments designed to implement provisions of state bill SB 284.

Planner Joe Moss summarized the key changes the city must adopt by May 6: updated recusal language and training requirements for planning commissioners, and a procedural change that directs determinations of ‘‘new and unlisted’’ land uses to City Council instead of the Planning Commission. Moss said the change aims to expedite determinations for applicants seeking clarity on whether an unusual use is allowed.

Moss quoted the statute’s protection for commission deliberations, telling commissioners they ‘‘are not allowed to be removed for deliberating about a specific pending land use application in a planning commission meeting with municipal staff, an elected official, or the land use applicant.’’ The staff-recommended text amendment would add recusal rules and require ethics/conflict-of-interest training for commissioners.

Commissioners asked about the definition of a ‘‘personal’’ interest that would trigger recusal; staff said additional, required training will clarify those boundaries. The city attorney indicated some required trainings may count toward the new mandate.

The new procedure for ‘‘new and unlisted’’ uses will send those items to City Council for initial action; if Council adopts such a use as permitted or conditional, subsequent approvals (for example, conditional use permits) would return to the Planning Commission under the usual review path.

Commissioner Harding moved and the commission seconded a recommendation that City Council approve ordinance 2026-011 (legislative code amendments). The motion passed on a 5–0 roll call. Staff said the City Council agenda includes the amendments, tentatively, on May 5.

There was no public comment on the item.