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From budgets to rezones: Recent happenings at SJ City Council

Jun 21, 2017 03:50PM ● By Kelly Cannon
By Travis Barton | [email protected]
 
Here’s a quick summary of some recent action occurring during South Jordan City Council meetings:
 
May 16
 
Annual budget adopted
 
The South Jordan City Council unanimously voted to adopt an annual budget for the city starting July 1 to June 30, 2018.
 
The tentative budget was passed in April with final adoption occurring on June 6. No residents spoke during the public comment section regarding the budget.
 
The $80 million budget includes the construction of a new public safety building and the addition of 14 new employees, including five police officers.
 
Councilman Patrick Harris said he wished they could have added more officers.
 
“We should’ve fulfilled the full request from our police chief and gone all the way up to seven (police officers),” he said during the May 16 city council meeting.
 
Property taxes were not raised in the budget. During the April 4 city council meeting, Finance Director Sunil Naidu said the property tax rate had decreased 7 percent over the last three years. It was then that elected officials authorized a 2 percent property tax reduction.
 
Naidu said that lowered the base amount and has had a continuing effect on the tax rate.
 
 
South Towne Center rezone
 
The council also unanimously approved a rezone of the South Jordan Towne Center from mixed-use community center to mixed-use town center.
 
City Planner Greg Schindler said during city council meeting the rezone is to accommodate the incoming public safety building for courts—for fire and police administration—being built by the city.
 
The rezone will allow buildings to reach 5 stories. The building being proposed is 42 feet.
 
Councilwoman Tamara Zander expressed concern that by making this zone change, it might allow buildings in the area to raze the property and construct up to 5 stories.
 
City staff indicated the parking in the area would be too restrictive to allow taller buildings. Staff also said the zoning can be amended to limit buildings to 4 stories.
 
Asphalt overlay agreement with Herriman City
 
City council approved a resolution that sees an agreement made with Herriman City for asphalt overlay construction along 11800 South. The project will run from approximately 4800 West to the Mountain View Corridor. Herriman City also approved the agreement.
 
Brad Klavano, director of development services, said Herriman is paying 50 percent of the cost at $80,000.
 
Klavano said a similar agreement and project was done last year with Riverton City at approximately 4000 West to the boundary between the two cities.
 
June 6
 
Escondido Estates
 
Property located at 10913 South 2700 West was approved by city council to be rezoned from rural to low density. A house is planned to be built on the property.
 
Neighbors spoke during the city council meeting with majority speaking in favor of the change. One neighbor, who lives across the street, said she was “super excited to have a nice home there.”
 
There was a concern that the irrigation ditch that runs along the south side of the property be left alone.
 
One person spoke against the zone change and addition of a house there worried about the traffic that could increase and the housing value that could decrease.