Most residents never read, or even realize the importance of, a city’s general plan. Yet this document shapes nearly every part of daily life, influencing how people drive, work, play and shop in their community.

Sandy City adopted a new general plan in January 2025, with a long-term vision for the area’s future over the next 25 years. In October, the city’s Pace of Progress general plan was presented with the Outstanding Plan Urban Award by the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Jake Warner was hired in 2018 as Sandy’s long-range planning manager. He set out not to just update but overhaul the city’s general plan, creating a viable path to future growth and connection. Warner was pleased that the award recognized the years-long effort of city staff, elected officials, business leaders and residents.

“It definitely was an honor,” Warner said. “We were hopeful. We knew that it was a great project, and there was an expectation, but we were definitely hopeful that they would recognize what a great project it was.”

The original plan for the city was adopted in 1979 and this overhaul was the first time it had gone through a comprehensive update process. Warner knew the undertaking would be a big lift, especially since Sandy is now a completely different city than it was in the 1980s. 

With the help of GSBS Consulting, an extensive effort was made to engage the public to determine the future of the city. More than 200 meetings were held to create a viable concept, understand the best opportunities for revitalization, receive public feedback and define community values. The results were broken down into four categories: location, community, opportunity and stewardship.

“[Residents] love that there’s a grocery store down the street or they can walk to a trailhead or a park,” Warner said. “They also love that we’re close to the mountains and recreational opportunities. We’re centrally located in the Salt Lake Valley and we can get downtown or to Utah County fairly quickly.”

In a video on the Sandy City Facebook page, Mayor Monica Zoltanski talked about the comprehensive efforts made to craft communities and integrate a variety of voices into the general plan project. 

She said 20 years ago, there was a big push to develop and build in the area but in the last decade, there’s been a distinct shift where residents are wary of development encroaching on their neighborhoods. 

“We had to pivot as a city,” she said. “Are we doing enough to give a clear path to our development community and our residents? This project was so multifaceted that it was not only a general plan, but it was really the opportunity to shine.”

The plan scrutinized older commercial areas to create unique opportunities for economic development. Revitalizing those areas not only provides goods and services but also creates a strong tax base to help offset some financial concerns residents are facing. 

Through dedicated public engagement, a definition of community values and the incorporation of key strategies, Warner said the award-winning Pace for Progress General Plan will guide growth and development decisions until 2050. To learn more about the city’s general plan, visit Sandy.Utah.Gov. 

“I’d say we’re around 95% built out,” Warner said. “I think we were very intentional about trying to delve into what we want to become as a city. What do we want the city to look like in the future?” 

Public outreach was a big component of Sandy’s Pace of Progress general plan which was awarded the Outstanding Plan Urban Award by the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association. (Photo courtesy of Sandy City)