COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS -- The Salt Lake County planning commission is considering a developer's request to alter a zoning ordinance for a 47 acre property near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The property owner, Cottonwood Estates Development, is seeking permission to expand the types of structures that can be built on the land. Currently, single-family dwellings are the only structures allowed there.
Planning commission members toured the property Friday morning. They will use their observations to decide whether or not to recommend the zoning change request to the Salt Lake County Council.
This is not Cottonwood Estates Development's first attempt to have the zoning ordinance changed. The property used to fall under the jurisdiction of Cottonwood Heights officials, who denied the company's request.
Rolen Yoshinaga, Salt Lake County Planning Director, said past studies have resulted in a decision not to allow commercial development in the canyon. Ski resorts are an example of exceptions to the rule.
"There have been a lot of studies that the county has engaged in in the past about where [commercial] development is appropriate," said Rolen Yoshinaga, Salt Lake County Planning Director. "I think one of the questions will be: 'Is this site really in the canyon or not?'"
Cottonwood Estates Development is not required to submit a proposal of their intent for the property - they simply want the flexibility for development beyond what is allowed by the existing zoning ordinance.
A public hearing is scheduled for June 12 at the County Council Chambers.Click here for the meeting agenda. [PDF]
