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Public commenters urge Salt Lake County to use eminent domain on Raytheon Applied Signals Technology site
Summary
Several members of the public urged the council to use eminent-domain authority to seize a Raytheon Applied Signals Technology facility in West Valley City and repurpose the property for public housing, linking the demand to housing shortages and opposition to weapons manufacturing.
During public comment, multiple speakers pressed the county to use its eminent-domain powers under Utah Code 78B-6-50 to seize the Raytheon Applied Signals Technology site in West Valley City and replace it with public housing.
Sebastian opened the appeals saying, "I want the Salt Lake County Council to use its eminent domain powers under Utah code 78 b 6 50 to seize the Raytheon Applied Signals Technology weapons facility located at 1127 2320 South in West Valley City and replace it with badly needed public housing." Several subsequent speakers — Nova Belknap, Jonathan, Amber Grace (representing the Utah Anti-War Committee) and Jana Klein — repeated similar calls, tied the demand to local housing and childcare stresses, and criticized defense contractors’ presence in the county. Amber Grace described the demand as part of a campaign to "get Raytheon out of Salt Lake County" and asked the council to repurpose county land and resources toward community needs.
Councilman Johnson thanked speakers and said he had engaged counsel and staff "to look into these issues" but noted there was nothing on the day's agenda enabling immediate action; he invited public commenters to meet with his policy adviser for follow-up. The council did not adopt any formal action on eminent domain during the meeting.
