Minutes of the Granite Community Council
Date: February 6, 2013
Location: Metropolitan Water District Offices Conference Room
3430 East Danish Road
Council Members Present:
Bill Witte (Districts 1 & 2), Terry Wood, Vice Chair (Districts 1 & 2), Mary
Young, Chair (District 3), Michael Hansen (District 3), Ray Anderson (Alternate,
District 3), Josh Kanter, Secretary (District 5), Catherine Kanter (Alternate,
District 5), Susie Albertson (District 6), Bill Clayton (District 6)
Guests Present:
Rita Lund, Salt Lake County Council Liaison
Joel Freston, Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office
Det. Brooks Green, Unified Police Department
Tod Young, Salt Lake County Planning Commission
Todd Draper, Salt Lake County Planning & Development Services
Ron Vance, Salt Lake County Planning Commission
UPD Officers Mason & Robertson
Melanie Mitchell, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office
Mark Ebert, Josh Linker, Susan Wood, residents
Council Members Absent: Drew Weaver, Treasurer (District 4), David Hart
(District 5), and Bryce John (District 4).
Agenda:
Call to Order
Mary Young, Chairperson of the Granite Community Council (the “Council”), welcomed
everyone, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and led the Council and guests in reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Prior Minutes
A correction was made to the prior minutes, whereafter, upon motion made, seconded and
unanimously carried, the minutes of the January 2, 2013 meeting of the Granite Community
Council were approved. The minutes will be posted on the Council’s website at
www.granitecommunitycouncil.net.
Wasatch Resorts; Establishment of Granite Community Council District 6
The Chair reviewed prior discussions regarding Council representation for the Wasatch Resorts
area and the possible creation of a District 6. The Chair noted that:
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There has been no objection to this concept at prior meetings.
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Wasatch Resorts would like a separate District created for their area and its unique
characteristics within the Granite community.
There are no requirements governing the creation of a new District in the Council’s
bylaws.
Each District is represented by two representatives to the Council.
The Council discussed the proposed boundaries of the to-be-established District 6 and the
inclusion of property near Alta and Snowbird that is outside of the town of Alta. The proposed
boundaries of the to-be-established District 6 would run from the junction of State Highways 209
and 210 at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canon, East to the Summit County line, North to the
ridgeline between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and South to the ridgeline between Little
Cottonwood Canyon and Bell Canyon.
There was no further discussion. Upon motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the Granite Community Council establish a new District 6, the
boundaries of which shall be the junction of State Highways 209 and 210 at the mouth of
Little Cottonwood Canyon on the West, East to the Summit County line, North to the
ridgeline between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and South to the ridgeline
between Little Cottonwood Canyon and Bell Canyon.
Pursuant to the terms of the Council’s bylaws governing filling vacant positions on the Council,
the Chair then appointed Susie Albertson to represent District 6 for a two year term to end
December 31, 2014, and Bill Clayton to represent District 6 for a four year term to end
December 31, 2016.
There was no further discussion. Upon motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, the appointments of Susie Albertson to represent District 6 for a two year
term to end December 31, 2014, and Bill Clayton to represent District 6 for a four year
term to end December 31, 2016, are hereby ratified and approved by the Council.
Annexations of Unincorporated County Property into Cities
The Chair reported that a petition was circulating to cause annexation of a Granite community
into Sandy City. The Chair indicated that some residents felt that they were not provided
sufficient information to make an intelligent decision about annexation, while others had
reported being told that their taxes would be significantly lower after annexation into Sandy City.
The Chair further noted that she had posed a number of questions to Sandy City about the
annexation process and information that had been provided to residents at a recent meeting about
annexation, and that it appeared that errors remained in the Sandy City tax calculator. She stated
that her goal was to appoint a committee that would attempt to develop accurate information
about annexation that could be shared with residents of Granite in order to help them make an
informed decision.
Council members Mary Young, Susie Albertson, Terry Wood and Ray Anderson volunteered to
be on this committee.
After some further comments about residency in unincorporated Salt Lake County versus Sandy
City, upon motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED, that the Council be, and hereby is, authorized, directed and empowered to
establish an “Annexation Information Committee” to compile information about the
annexation process and to determine a mechanism to deliver such information to Granite
residents considering annexation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Council members Mary Young, Susie Albertson,
Terry Wood and Ray Anderson be, and hereby are, appointed to the Annexation
Information Committee.
The Chair then introduced Ms. Melanie Mitchell from the County District Attorney’s office who
presented materials and described the annexation process. Ms. Mitchell noted, generally, that:
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There are two primary methods of annexation – “annexation by petition,” and
“annexation without a petition.”
In an annexation by petition:
o A petition sponsor files an intent to petition for annexation with Salt Lake County
and other parties identified by statute
o The County mails notices to affected areas
o The City mails information to affected areas
o The petition sponsor seeks signatures of residents
o The petition must be signed by a majority of the affected residents and one third
of the property value of the affected area
o The City then determines if the petition requirements have been met and if the
City wants to pursue annexation
In an annexation without a petition:
o The City pursues annexation pursuant to State Law
o The City must pass a resolution to pursue annexation
o The City may avoid protests if they receive the consent of 75% of the affected
property owners
The Council engaged in an extensive conversation about the annexation processes, the concepts
of “islands” and “peninsulas” as used in the annexation process, historic annexation issues
between the County and Sandy City, and the fact that the currently pending annexation proposal
is not clearly being pursued under one method or the other and the Council hopes to get more
information about the current proposal affecting Granite residents.
No formal action was taken.
Planning & Zoning; Ordinance Change
Todd Draper explained a proposed ordinance change that would replace the current Board of
Adjustment with a “land use hearing officer” or Administrative Law Judge. Draper indicated that
the planning staff sees advantages to a change to an ALJ from the citizen volunteer Board of
Adjustment, including fewer cases being pursued in the courts, the use of a more knowledgeable
professional, etc. Draper indicated that the County was asking for input and a recommendation
about the proposed ordinance change.
Members of the Council raised concerns about putting decision making authority in a single
individual rather than a multi-person board, about the use of an ALJ pool given potential
conflicts, and about the risk of ALJ’s being beholden to the Mayor.
After further discussion, upon motion made and seconded, the Council considered a resolution to
recommend approval of the proposed ordinance change. The resolution failed to pass by a vote
of four to three. The Council agreed to prepare and deliver a letter to the County noting the
Council’s concerns.
Sheriff’s Report
Detective Green reported that it was a quiet month in the Granite area. He further reported that
there was no new reportable news on the homicide investigation.
Ms. Albertson asked Detective Green about police service in the County versus Sandy and she
further asked about response times, particularly to Wasatch Resorts. UPD Officers Mason and
Robertson responded at length about the depth of UPD specialties and services. They also agreed
to investigate response times to the Wasatch Resorts area.
Mayor’s Office Report
Ms. Lund provided the report in Joel Freston’s absence. Ms. Lund:
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Circulated the “Volunteer Agreement” and “Salt Lake County Disclosure Statement” that
are to be completed by each member of the Council.
Noted that the Mayor would provide a “State of the Township” address on February 19th
at 7 pm at the Dimple Dell Recreation Center.
Noted that ACCT training would be on May 4th (morning only).
Provided a legislative update (circulated) and specifically asked the Council to be aware
of HB88 (allowing a property owner to exclude themselves from applicable zoning) and
HB59 (altering school board elections in a manner that may cost the County an additional
$1.8 million).
Dimple Dell Road & Little Cottonwood Canyon Master Plan Update
The Chair reported on the proposed modification of Dimple Dell Road, providing a handout and
noting that there will likely be an open house to review the impact on each impacted homeowner.
The Chair noted that there was nothing new to report regarding the Little Cottonwood Canyon
Master Plan.
Treasurer’s Report
In the Treasurer’s absence, the Chair reported that the Council had $818.95 in business checking
and $9,720.20 in business savings, for cash-on-hand of $10,539.50. The Chair noted that the
Council had one bill for website hosting for $120.00. She noted that the Treasurer was working
on the Council’s budget summary report for the County and would have the same completed by
next week.
Upon motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was,
RESOLVED, that the Council be, and hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to
pay its outstanding bill in the amount of $120.00 for website hosting services.
Other Business
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The Chair noted that Granite needs an emergency volunteer coordinator and suggestions,
if any, should be provided to the Chair.
Guests and members of the Council discussed the Ksel Drive beetle infestation and
potential methods to clean up the remaining piles of tree limbs. Ms. Lund agreed to look
into the possible use of a bulk waste dumpster, whether a so-called “sheet burner” is
available, and to provide information about the private company that provides chipper
services in Emigration Canyon.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.