What does development along the Jordan River look like? How can we do better than we have in the past? One constant in this world is change, and the Jordan River corridor is no exception. Development along the river is continually taking shape. The parkway currently has a mixture of projects that range from rehabilitation of industrial sites to the development of new communities with nature parks and recreation amenities. There are also a number of planning projects that have recently been adopted or are in the process of being adopted, such as The Fairpark Master Plan, The Point Framework Plan and Salt Lake Cities Northpoint Small Area Plan. The Commission has worked with stakeholders on these projects to ensure that the goals laid out in the Blueprint Jordan River help to inform decision makers on the best ways to develop the environment around the Jordan River. There are a number of goals identified within The Blueprint that deal specifically with development and preservation of land along the Jordan River and which outlines strategies for implementing these goals. One of these goals is to “Ensure that development highlights the Jordan River and enhances the Parkway”. The strategies for accomplishing this are:
- Cluster development in the parkway into river village centers to reduce impacts on the natural environment and create synergistic commercial benefits
- Foster village center identity and branding that highlights the river and compatible uses
- Orient waterfront development towards the river
Another Blueprint goals is the need to “Protect and preserve natural open spaces”, especially as the area around the river is developed. The strategies for doing this includes the following:
- Develop access restrictions based on site sensitivity
- Create and enforce development limits in natural open spaces
- Use regulatory tools to limit the impacts of development within the corridor
To learn more about these and the others goals and strategies related to development and preservation, take a look at the Blueprint Jordan River document HERE.
The focus of the March Technical Advisory Board Meeting is community development projects. At the meeting we will be learning more about a some of the current development and planning projects happening along the Jordan River. If you are interested in learning more about these projects, please consider attending the virtual meeting on Thursday March 16 at 2pm. Meeting information, including documents on projects can be found HERE.
Here is a tentative list of projects we will be discussing:
- Northpoint Small Area Plan, Salt Lake City – If approved, the Northpoint Plan will help guide the future growth of the northwest part of Salt Lake City. There was a public hearing on March 7. The Council will consider action on this plan at a future meeting. Input may still be shared anytime online, by email at council.comments@slcgov.com, or by phone at 801-535-7654
- Utah State Fairpark Master Plan, Salt Lake City – Upgrades to the Jordan River Trail and improving river access are included in the Master Plan and are scheduled to be implemented between 2025 and 2028.
- Rocky Mountain Power, Salt Lake City – Will be releasing plan soon for their corporate offices located on North Temple and adjacent to the Jordan River and the Gadsby Trailhead Parking and Boat Ramp.
- The Point, Draper – The first phase of The Point is starting this year. One of the identified projects in this phase is a 1.4 miles River to Range Trail that will connect the Jordan River Parkway to Draper Corner Canyon trail area to the east.
- Wander Development, Saratoga Springs – Is in the final design stages of a 30 acre nature park along the Jordan River
