Request: Recommendation of Approval
Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District Planning and Development Services
2001 S. State Street N3-600 • Salt Lake City, UT 84190-4050 Phone: (385) 468-6700 • Fax: (385) 468-6700
www.msd.utah.gov
2021 General Plan Summary and Recommendation
Public Body: Magna Metro Township Council Magna Council Meeting Date: 3/23/21
Location: All areas within Magna Metro Township Request: Approval and Adoption of General Plan
Applicant Name: Magna Metro Township General Plan Steering Committee Planner: Kate Davies
Planning Staff Recommendation: Approve General Plan with Revisions as Outlined
______________________________PROJECT DESCRIPTION____________________________
The MSD Planning Staff and the Magna Planning Commission have recommended approval to the Magna Metro Township Council of the Magna General Plan 2021. This General Plan is Magna’s first comprehensive plan since the community incorporated as a metro township in 2017. The Plan synthesizes data and public feedback to describe current conditions, establishes a vision for Magna’s future, and guides Magna from its present conditions toward its desired vision. This General Plan meets the required State laws for general planning, including elements on Land Use, Transportation, and Moderate-Income Housing. It also includes the following supplemental elements: Introduction & Overview; Planning Process; Catalyst Areas & Economic Stability; Parks, Trails, Recreation & Open Space; Natural Hazards; Community Services & Facilities; Sustainability; and Implementation & Work Plan. The General Plan and its Appendix can be found here:http://bit.ly/lrp-magna
SUMMARY
Background:
Magna became an independent municipality with its own governing authority in 2017 after a vote of Magna residents in 2015. Magna is governed by an elected legislative council. The Council has the authority to enact laws and ordinances to carry out its responsibilities such as land use and development regulations (zoning), as long as these laws and ordinances are consistent with the Utah Municipal Code and other state statutes. Magna is a member of the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (MSD), a special local district established in 2015. The MSD provides Magna with planning and development, business license, building inspection, and code enforcement services as part of its membership agreement. The Magna Council appoints a Planning Commission that works with MSD Planners to make recommendations regarding land use decisions to the Council. The Council also appoints a General Plan Steering Committee to work with MSD Long Range
Planners on the development of Magna’s General Plan. The General Plan Steering Committee and Planning Commission make recommendations to the Council regarding the adoption and amendment of the General Plan. The Council can adopt, reject, or revise a recommended General Plan.
To support the development of this Plan, the Magna Council appointed the following members of the Magna Planning Commission and residents from the community to serve on the Steering Committee: Mark Elieson, Sara VanRoosendaal, Jeff Stephenson, Todd Richards, Dan Cripps, Ammon Lockwood, Aaron Weight, Brent Atkinson*, Terry Pollock*, Shirl White*, Cindy Whitehair*, Mickey Sudbury*, and Clare Collard*.
*Served at one time but not for the duration of the process.
Document Description:
Magna’s General Plan 2021 is a guide for the Municipality’s development decisions. It takes a long-term perspective; communicates the wants and needs of the community to elected officials and to prospective residents; includes elements on Land Use, Transportation, and Moderate-Income Housing per Utah State Code 10-9a-401; and is a “living” document that can be updated and altered as deemed necessary.
Key Content within the Plan:
Vision Statement –
The overarching vision of Magna is to position and strengthen itself in population, opportunity, and economic growth to be a viable and independently sustainable community. Aligning and strengthening commercial aspirations and providing for a diverse set of housing opportunities will increase and invigorate Magna’s economic opportunities and support efforts to achieve their vision of success. Magna can utilize its
strategically advantageous location to accomplish its goals. Although the most north-western community in Salt Lake County, Magna is just 15 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. Magna provides a critical transportation linkage between many southwestern community residents and their various employment opportunities.
Land Use – To ensure the alignment of zoning provisions with the intent of the General Plan, the Magna Planning Commission and Council should conduct a thorough review of the existing zoning designations and requirements following adoption of the General Plan. The Future Land Use Maps generated for this Plan (see pages 39 and 40 of the General Plan) convey the land use patterns envisioned for Magna’s future. In general, the Plan recommends that higher density development be encouraged towards the center of Magna, rather than on the perimeters. See pages 95-99 of the General Plan for the Land Use Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Land Use strategies are as follows:
• Review the current zoning designations and requirements to ensure that zoning provisions are consistent with the intent of the General Plan.
• Create community entry areas that identify the primary entrances to Magna for 3500 South at 7000 West, 8400 West at 4100 South, Magna Regional Park, and the SR-201 interchanges.
• Achieve a sustainable revenue stream through implementation of the Economic Development Goals and Strategies
• Provide for infill and replacement housing
• Create urban design guidelines for Magna Main Street, catalytic commercial nodes, and new neighborhoods
• Invest in neighborhood level infrastructure and amenities
• Increase parks, trails, recreation, and open space opportunities to support healthy and active lifestyles for residents”
• Implement the Magna Moderate Income Housing Plan (See Housing Work Plan)
Planning Areas – Magna is composed of neighborhoods with unique characteristics and needs. The General Plan divides Magna into five planning areas based upon location, character, and land use. Specific assets, opportunities, and challenges are associated with each neighborhood planning area; visions and actions have also been developed for each unique area. See pages 39 and 40 of the General Plan for the Future Land Use Map.
Transportation –The transportation vision included in Magna’s General Plan aligns closely with the expressed
land use desires. The development of an interconnected network that supports safe use by different types of users is therefore a central focus of the transportation element. To achieve this vision, Magna’s transportation system needs improvements to accommodate increasing traffic, as well as an expansion of bicycle facilities, pedestrian pathways, and its transit network. Magna could likely accomplish many of these projects through a series of relatively low-cost projects, as outlined in the Plan’s recommended capital facilities project list (see Table 6-1, page 66). See pages 104-106 of the General Plan for the Transportation Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Transportation strategies are as follows:
• Adopt measures to prioritize pedestrian comfort and safety in major centers and develop other places that encourage walking and activity on the street.
• Create additional public parking opportunities near Magna Main Street.
• Develop safe bicycle routes and paths that can be integrated within the street network and with trail systems, canals, and greenways.
• Coordinate with UTA to improve transit connections between Magna and key destinations and high-capacity transit.
• Implement traffic calming and access management measures in high activity and residential areas to ensure the safety of residents.
• Coordinate with regional policymakers to adopt “Safe Routes to School” legislation to improve the quality of access to schools for students.
• Enhance connectivity of the roads surrounding the new Cyprus High School • Implement the recommendations from the Transportation Master Plan.
Housing – The housing vision included in Magna’s General Plan aligns closely with the community’s expressed land use desires. Magna residents who participated in the 2019 Moderate-Income Housing open house supported the provision of sufficient housing that is safe and affordable for a range of income levels, while preserving existing housing. Residents also expressed a desire to account for different resident needs (e.g. the daily needs of families and seniors should be accounted for in a diversity of housing options) by considering proximity to transit, parks and open space, and activity centers in the development of housing options. See page 100 of the General Plan for the Housing Work Plan.
The community’s goals for Moderate-Income Housing are as follows: • Preserve current moderate-income housing on a long-term basis • Create more moderate-income housing options
• Support measures and efforts that contribute to neighborhood stabilization
Catalyst Areas & Economic Stability – Although not required by State Code, economic development is a critical component of Magna’s General Plan. The recommendations for economic development included in the Plan align closely with the land use vision; this is achieved by promoting economic development that supports
surrounding neighborhoods, providing resources for both the neighborhood and area businesses while bridging relationships between the two. Meanwhile, proposed redevelopment and development projects aim to create gateways to neighborhoods and contribute to placemaking and neighborhood vitality. The greatest opportunities for future development in Magna lie in the remaining vacant or re(developable) land in the Catalyst Areas identified in the Plan. These areas have been identified based on development potential, strategic position, and several other factors. The Catalyst Areas are:
• Cyprus High School (Re)Development • Magna Main Street
• North Magna Industrial • 3500 Commercial nodes • 4100 South 8400 West
See pages 101-103 of the General Plan for the Catalyst Areas & Economic Stability Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Catalyst Areas & Economic Stability strategies are as follows: • Increase Magna’s capacity to oversee and administer economic development activities.
• Coordinate with key agencies such as Salt Lake County RDA, Inland Port, and other state governmental authorities to outline the work and resources needed to focus investments on catalyst areas and increase higher paying jobs
• within targeted industries. Not sure what this means?
• Create a diverse and balanced pattern of development by integrating a balance of context-sensitive uses within major activity and commercial centers.
• Continue to promote, recruit, and encourage new corporate and commercial development in Magna
• Identify strategies to improve or create targeted redevelopment that serve as gateways to existing and future residential neighborhoods to create vibrant and healthy places.
• Encourage development and redevelopment of Magna Main Street to strengthen its role as a historical center and urban district through expansion of the RDA and addition of a “form-based” regulations.
• Encourage employment of area residents by Magna-based businesses and provide resources to promote skill development and talent retainment.
• Enhance connectivity as identified in the Transportation Master Plan to connect neighborhoods, corridors commercial nodes and open space.
Parks, Trails, Recreation & Open Space – Magna’s vision for future land use incorporates strategies and funding for construction, operation, and maintenance of a network of parks, trails, recreation, and open space. At present, Magna has a limited trail system and a large percentage of sidewalks in need of maintenance or improvements. Additionally, the neighborhoods in the north eastern area of Magna are underserved for parks and open space. See pages 107-108 of the General Plan for the Parks, Trails, Recreation & Open Space Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Parks, Trails, Recreation &Open Space strategies are as follows: • Complete a parks and trails master plan that identifies a recommended alignment for the Magna
Loop Trail system to connect all existing, planned, and future parks in the community and circle Magna.
• Implement policies and funding to maintain at least the current parks level of service at 7.9 acres per 1,000 people or better and strive for a maximum 10-minute walk from most homes and businesses to the nearest trail, publicly
• available open space area, or park. Do you need to add something here?
• Maintain and improve the overall system of parks and trails to better serve current and future residents.
• Plan for future parks, trails, and open space in areas identified in the Annexation Declaration. • Include areas at the Great Salt Lake shore and north of I-80 in Metro Township open space and
recreation strategies.
Natural Hazards – Magna’s future as an area of residential and employment growth and a bedroom
community to Salt Lake City will require investment in strategies to help address natural resources, hazards and community resiliency. See pages 109 of the General Plan for the Natural Hazards Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Natural Hazards strategies are as follows:
• Use effective and efficient landscaping and grading to prevent soil erosion and slippage, as well as responsible use of water resources.
• Reduce the risk of damage and injury from known geological and seismic activity. • Mitigate the impact of flooding and debris flow in the Metro Township.
• Identify strategies for funding hazard mitigation and recovery for Magna residents and businesses. Community Services & Facilities – The public engagement process conducted as part of the General Plan Update revealed that Magna residents would like to see additional services or increased enforcement including: code enforcement; parks maintenance and safety; and sidewalk maintenance and safety. These desires align closely with the community’s expressed land use desires. See page 110 of the General Plan for the Community Services & Facilities Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Community Services & Facilities strategies are as follows: • Work closely with Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation to develop community and
neighborhood-centered recreational facilities and programs for residents.
• Enhance code compliance in the community to promote neighborhood stability and community pride.
• Ensure the wise use of community resources
• Implement policies to allow Magna to be fiscally sustainable
Sustainability – Magna’s future land use vision aims to create a sustainable balance between current social, economic and environmental needs of the community while meeting the needs of future generations. See page 111 of the General Plan for the Sustainability Work Plan.
The community’s recommendations for Sustainability strategies are as follows:
• Diversify the land uses and improve the retail base in the Municipality to generate adequate tax revenue to support full-city status under State law.
• Reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles by creating connected and walkable areas.
• Encourage low impact development and safe building standards to increase efficiency and lower overall expenses
• Encourage urban forestry and urban agriculture activity to provide ecological services to the community
• Conduct a study of the need for other initiatives to address local food insecurity such as a Farmers Market or financial incentives for a grocery store to locate in underserved areas.
• Provide information and resources to protect limited natural resources while promoting community health and development
Key Goals from the Implementation & Work Plans – To help Magna achieve their unified vision, the General Plan outlines ten goals developed though community outreach and guidance from the Steering Committee. The General Plan Steering Committee was charged by the Council with drafting a General Plan that represents Magna’s interests and needs. Each goal contains several strategies as a pathway towards implementation. The Work Plans associated with each chapter of the General Plan, and included in the final chapter, expand upon these goals.
1. Promote responsible and sustainable growth though development of viable commercial, employment, and activity centers that serve the community.
2. Improve access to and quality of parks, trails, and open space for all areas of Magna.
3. Create a balance between current social, economic and environmental needs of the community while meeting the needs of future generations.
4. Provide a balanced transportation system that will accommodate all modes of travel by promoting land use development patterns that increase quality of life and opportunities for all with multiple mobility choices.
5. Provide abundant and diverse housing options for a variety of needs and income levels to create places where all residents are welcome to live.
6. Preserve current moderate-income housing on a long- term basis. 7. Create more moderate-income housing options.
8. Support measures and efforts that contribute to neighborhood stabilization.
9. Provide a full range of public facilities, including facilities and services that support mental and physical health and well-being.
10. Ensure that current and future development sustains a high level of resiliency by providing guidelines and resources for residents and businesses to mitigate the effects of natural hazards.
SITE & VICINITY DESCRIPTION
All properties and lands within Magna’s boundaries are considered in and affected by this Plan.
PLANNING STAFF ANALYSIS
The MSD Planning Staff and the Magna Planning Commission recommend approval and adoption of the Magna General Plan 2021, with the revisions outlined below. These items were raised after the Plan was recommended to the Council for adoption:
• Update references to Magna’s powers of taxation to align with 2021 legislation (e.g., pg. 5). • Add the Annexation Policy Plan to the General Plan Appendix.
• Remove any lingering references to “Metro Township” and replace with “Magna” or “Municipality”.
Staff has determined that the following findings are in support of the application:
1. The document follows Utah State Code requirements for General Plans.
2. The document is data-driven, utilizing reputable sources such as the United States Census Bureau, ESRI Business Analyst, and others.
3. The document is community-driven, reflecting communicated desires of residents. It follows extensive public engagement from 2017-2019, and then again from May 2020 to March 2021. See pages 9-10 of the General Plan for details on the General Planning Process and timeline.
4. The document is a living document and should be revisited and updated as circumstances necessitate.