Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Draper City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Historic Preservation and Documentation
The commission is advancing various research initiatives, including minority history, historic walking tours, and museum coordination to educate the public.
National Register of Historic Places Nominations
The commission is reviewing its budget and property list to prioritize Intensive Level Surveys and National Register of Historic Places nominations for local historic buildings.
Duffin Property Rezone and Land Use Amendment
An applicant requested changing a 7.7-acre residential parcel near I-15 and Lone Peak Parkway to a business and light manufacturing zone. Residents and commissioners raised concerns about commercial encroachment, traffic congestion, and lack of adequate buffers next to single-family homes, leading the commission to recommend denial.
Draper TOD Fourth Amended Subdivision Plat
Developers are seeking to reconfigure subdivision lots and relocate public utility easements across 18.07 acres at Vista Station Boulevard to align with current property deeds and access requirements.
Community Events
The committee is coordinating several upcoming events, including the International Arts & Crafts Festival and the Haunted Trail, to keep the community engaged throughout the fall.
Inclusive Historical Documentation
Commissioners are actively gathering oral histories, family records, and photographs from early minority and immigrant families in Draper, such as the Coggy and Sugiyama families.
Exchange 14068 South 145 East Development Agreement
The city approved a development agreement for a new four-story office building in the Exchange office park. The project will house Rincon Research Corporation, bringing over 120 skilled engineering jobs supported by state economic incentives.
Draper Days Event Coordination
City staff presented the annual Draper Days festival review, showing 41,000 park visits, increased revenue from sponsorships and vendors, and higher rodeo costs due to safety shading and equipment rentals.
Exchange Office Park Development Agreement
Woodbury Corporation requested height and design deviations to build a four-story office building for a new Arizona-based tech company bringing 100 high-paying jobs to Draper. The Planning Commission supported the project, forwarding a positive recommendation.
Unauthorized Motorized Vehicles on Trails
Draper is officially cracking down on e-motorcycles tearing up local trails. If you’re caught riding a motorized bike in city parks, expect to see more patrols and much steeper fines.
Water Connection Requirements for Plat Amendments
A busted water pipe in Draper has left homes dry, causing major inconvenience. The city is scrambling to fix it ASAP.
Crescent Redevelopment District Investment
The city is using tax increment funds to attract a major medical office project, aiming to boost local jobs and healthcare access.
Tree Planting and Beautification
The committee is working out how to spend $10,000 in city tree funds, $10,000 in donor money, and pre-purchased Twin Pines Nursery stock while dealing with water restrictions. They evaluated sites like the splash pad and pickleball courts, ultimately deciding to prioritize replacing dead trees where watering systems already exist.
Clarifying Tree Committee Roles and Scope
The committee is considering expanding its focus beyond trees to include water-wise landscaping and public beautification, aligning with popular localscapes classes and regional water conservation goals.
New Office Building Development
Draper is partnering with Nexcore Healthcare Development to bring a new 80,000-square-foot medical building to 11925 South State Street. The city will contribute $3.3 million from the Crescent Redevelopment District to help fund the project, which will create about 150 high-paying medical jobs and expand local healthcare access.
Tree Planting Specifications for Developers
Committee members discussed who is responsible for maintaining park strip trees along major transportation corridors like Zions Bank. They highlighted the need for the city's part-time landscape inspector to enforce planting specifications in new developments.
Accessory Use Regulation on Multi-Parcel Properties
The Planning Commission discussed challenges related to accessory uses and structures located on separate parcels from the main dwelling, highlighting the need for clearer code enforcement and potential lot consolidation policies.
Historic Property Survey
The town reviewed a comprehensive historic survey showing 269 buildings are eligible for the National Register, opening up discussions about creating historic districts.
Flock Safety Cameras
Draper’s Special Victims Unit is finally getting a shout-out for the heavy lifting they do on some of our city's most sensitive cases. It’s a look at the specialized work happening behind the scenes to keep residents safe.
CRA Fund Programming
The agency reviewed its annual report and discussed how to program approximately $31 million in accumulated fund balances across active project areas. Board members discussed potential infrastructure and housing investments, including roadway improvements along Bangerter Highway.
New Residential Development
Plans for Jenson Farms Phase 4, a new single-family home development, are being reviewed. This could add more housing options in Draper.
Traffic and Infrastructure Capacity
Following a settled lawsuit, the city decided to pursue a traffic signal rather than a costly roundabout at 138th and 300 East, saving over $1.5 million and speeding up construction.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
The city council reviewed proposed rules to allow short-term rentals in residential zones under strict permit requirements, minimum stay rules, and 24/7 emergency response contacts to prevent party houses and neighborhood disturbances.
Short-term Rental Regulation
Draper residents want stricter Airbnb rules after a fire incident. They're asking the city to step up and manage short-term rentals better.
City Park Feature
Parks staff presented upgraded design options for the Hidden Canyon Park in Suncrest, proposing an increased budget of $1.2 million to include restrooms and bike trails, pending grant opportunities.
Changes to Variance and Land Use Appeal Procedures
New state law removes the requirement for public hearings for variances and land use appeals, shifting the focus to legal criteria. This change streamlines the process but reduces public input opportunities.
Solid Waste Collection Services
Draper's emergency water shut-off is officially over, meaning your taps are back to normal. It was a quick fix, but a solid reminder to keep an eye on city utility alerts so you aren't caught off guard next time.
Corner Lot Classification
The dispute centers on whether the property at 12640 South Relation Street should be classified as a corner lot, which would impose stricter setback requirements. The appellants argue that the city's decision is inconsistent with code and past practices, potentially affecting property value and development.
Building Regulations
Draper's mayor is blaming building procedures after some homes collapsed, which could lead to stricter rules for new construction in your area.
Summer Event Planning and Volunteer Coordination
The committee is planning several summer events like Cinco de Mayo, the Mayor's Bike Ride, and the America 250 potluck. They are also organizing volunteers for Draper Days, focusing on specific roles like the car show and children's events.
Native American Recognition
The City has launched a new webpage with an article and video about the Galena Soo'nkahni historic site, helping to recognize and share local Native American history. More articles are planned for the future.
Oral History Preservation
The commission is looking for ways to record and save the stories of long-time Draper residents before they are lost.
Water Conservation and Drought Response
Draper is facing severe drought conditions and following Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District's call for a 10% reduction in water usage. The city is planning tiered park watering and public messaging to encourage conservation.
Juneteenth Events & Bankhead Family History
The Commission is preparing an article for Juneteenth about the Bankhead family, focusing on their journey and resilience after slavery in Draper. It's a powerful story that will be shared with the community.
Draper-Alpine City Boundary Adjustment
The common boundaries between Draper City and Alpine City were officially adjusted through an approved ordinance. This also involved map amendments.
Openshaw Corner Development
A new development agreement for the Openshaw Corner project was approved, covering about 1.44 acres. The council added conditions to this approval.
Tree Inventory and Management System
The committee reviewed best practices from Salt Lake City and Sandy regarding tree preservation and sidewalk damage. Members discussed creating formal guidelines to prevent unnecessary tree removals when roots lift curbs or sidewalks.
Variance for Accessory Building
The city approved a variance for Chris Gardner to keep an accessory building that didn't meet setback rules, balancing strict zoning with individual hardship. The decision could affect how future similar requests are handled.
Home Occupation Regulation
Dustin Reese is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a home office for Audio Wizard AV at 386 W. Redberry Road, utilizing a detached structure for office space and business vehicle parking.
Community Event Staffing
Draper needs volunteers to help run summer events like the Mayor's Bike Ride and Cinco de Mayo. You don't have to work the whole day; even a short shift helps the city put on these fun local traditions.
Parks and Trails Budget Requests
Staff reviewed upcoming fiscal year budget requests for parks and trail projects, which the committee unanimously recommended for approval.
Arbor Day Program
The committee planned for the upcoming Arbor Day celebration on April 24-25, proposing to plant an elm tree at Draper Park to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.
Community Event Support
The city needs volunteers to help run events like Draper Days, the car show, and the parade. It's a great way to get involved and keep these local traditions running smoothly.
America 250 Celebration
Draper is planning a big picnic on July 5th to celebrate America's 250th birthday. They're also looking for community service projects and writing an article about Draper in 1776.
City Council Member Information
Kathryn Dahlin is currently serving as a member of the Draper City Council. You can look to her for local policy decisions and representation on city-wide issues.
Housing Affordability & Infrastructure
The state is looking at ways to help cities fund big infrastructure projects to make building new homes easier and cheaper.
Home Occupation Regulations
The commission reviewed a request for a home-based salon, focusing on how to balance residential neighborhood character with small business operations. Conditions were set to manage customer traffic and parking.
Land Use and Zoning Map Amendments
A developer wants to rezone 7.7 acres near Lone Peak Parkway from residential to business manufacturing park to build small office/warehouse units. Neighbors and commissioners raised concerns about putting commercial zoning right next to residential areas without adequate buffers and traffic management.
TRSSD Streetlight Maintenance
Residents in the TRSSD area have been dealing with broken street lights and confusion over who is responsible for fixing them. The city is moving to take over maintenance to ensure repairs happen faster.
Landslide Disaster Management
A year after homes in Draper literally slid off a cliff, the city is trying to defend its oversight record against angry residents. It’s a messy situation that highlights major questions about how safe our neighborhoods actually are.