In a recent meeting of the Sandy Planning Commission, discussions centered on a proposed site plan that includes a significant reduction in required parking stalls for a retail development. The current site boasts 934 parking stalls, exceeding the city’s requirement of 867 stalls based on a ratio of five stalls per thousand square feet of retail space. The new plan, however, proposes a total of 783 stalls, representing a nearly 10% reduction from the existing requirement.

The applicant has justified this reduction by conducting extensive analyses, including a parking demand analysis and a parking management analysis. These studies, which are part of the documentation provided to the commission, indicate that the actual parking needs are lower than the city’s standards. The International Transportation Engineers Association (ITE) standards suggest that the site could operate effectively with as few as 555 stalls, while actual counts have shown peak needs as low as 429 stalls in previous years.

The Planning Commission is considering granting a 10% reduction in parking requirements, which falls within the allowable limits for administrative approval. The community development director noted that the applicant meets the necessary conditions for this reduction, which could streamline the approval process.

Additionally, the meeting addressed off-site traffic impact mitigation, particularly concerning improvements on 1300 East. Both the applicant and the city have agreed on necessary changes related to traffic signals, ensuring that the development will not adversely affect local traffic flow.

Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on neighboring properties, particularly a nearby gym that often utilizes shared parking spaces. However, officials reassured that the proposed changes would not encroach on the gym's designated parking area.

Overall, the Planning Commission expressed confidence in the proposed site plan and the rationale behind the parking reduction. As discussions continue, the commission will evaluate the implications of these changes on the community and the surrounding infrastructure. The next steps will involve further analysis of traffic impacts and potential adjustments to the recommendations based on ongoing assessments.