The newly formed Mountain Planning Commission of Salt Lake County is set to have its inaugural meeting in the first week of the New Year. The Commission is made up of residents in the area known as the Central Wasatch. It includes Granite, Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, plus Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. County Mayor Ben McAdams says commission members will bring a broad number of voices to the specific concerns of the area.
“The average person may not see a difference in the immediate sense but if we get the balance wrong and end up with the development gone awry in the Wasatch that affects our water quality and affects our ability to protect and preserve these natural areas,” says McAdams, “then we’re all going to notice that.”
Linda Johnson of Millcreek is one of the members of the new group. She says the commission’s work will focus on giving the best possible representation to residents, developers and water managers.
“And I think that the mountainous areas are very particular and there are very strong interests that fight applications and it’s probably a good idea to make it neater so that this arguing doesn’t have to go on all the time,” Johnson says.
The Salt Lake County Council has approved all but one remaining applicant of the total nine members and two alternates. The Mountain Planning Commission will hold its meetings on the first Thursday of every month beginning January 7th, 2016.
