Council approves noise exemption for Sandy Invitational chainsaw event with neighbor notice condition

The Sandy City Council voted to approve a temporary noise exception for the Sandy Invitational chainsaw carving event and its planned Guinness Book of World Records 24‑hour attempt, provided the event organizers notify immediate neighbors and coordinate mitigation with city planning staff.

Patrick, an event representative, told the council the festival will expand to three days with education‑day programming on Friday and competitions on Saturday and Sunday. He described the proposed schedule: daytime carving with setup before 8 a.m. and site closures in the evening; organizers said they will place the Guinness attempt in the far‑northeast corner of the site, install directional sound trailers and conduct pre‑measurements to limit impacts on residences. “We’re just looking forward to it being bigger and better and and, hopefully, staying in Sandy for a long time,” Patrick said.

Council members pressed for direct notice to residents nearest the site after mayoral concerns about fans and 24‑hour noise. Staff confirmed the temporary‑use permit does not require neighbor notification under the type‑2 application rules, so council attached a condition: the applicant must notify addresses for Foothills Apartments and the nearby Eldridge Drive homes, with planning staff assisting to compile the mailing list. The motion passed with a second and an affirmative voice vote.

Councilors also sought more details on safety, insurance and the operating plan for ancillary activities (tree‑work and trail stewardship tied to the festival). Staff said additional operating‑plan information and higher liability limits had been requested and that planning and public‑safety staff would continue coordinating with the organizer before the event goes on the calendar.