Transmittal - 3/12/2024
ERIN MENDENHALL
Mayor
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
P.O. BOX 145474
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 306
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-5474
WWW.SLCMAYOR.COM
TEL 801-535-7704
CITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTAL
______________________________ Date Received:
Rachel Otto, Chief of Staff
Date Sent to Council:
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: March 12, 2024
Victoria Petro, Chair
FROM: Jorge Chamorro, Public Services Director
SUBJECT: Proposed Ordinance to Close a Portion of 7200 West
STAFF CONTACTS:
Jon Larsen, Transportation
Jorge Chamorro, Public Services Department Director
DOCUMENT TYPE: Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: Consider and adopt the attached ordinance
BUDGET IMPACT: None
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The City Council is being asked to adopt an ordinance closing
a portion of 7200 West between California Ave and I-80 (see exhibit A) on, or soon after, March 15,
2024 and until March 14, 2026. In response to the increased fire danger on public and private
property posed by the recurring illegal dumping activity and the costly mitigation incurred by City
Departments. The ordinance states that closure will take effect upon its adoption.
This portion of 7200 West runs between California Avenue, on the South end, and after the UP
railroad crossing, on the North end. The road is unimproved, meaning no asphalt, concrete or curb
and gutter. The area experiences frequent illegal dumping of bulky, hazardous, and large amounts of
waste due to the remote location and proximity to permitted solid waste management facilities.
Responding to multiple complaints received over the last year, this location has been cleared of
illegally dumped waste twice in the last year, with several City Divisions and Departments involved
in these efforts. The first cleanup occurred during the week of February 20th, 2023, resulting in the
removal of: 3.6 tons of tires, 15 mattresses and over 250 tons of waste, with a total cost for labor
and dumping fees of $30,000. The most recent cleanup took place in the first week of December
- # ' * / / * — - @ A v A ? A C @ B w D D ˜03/12/2024
03/12/2024
ERIN MENDENHALL
Mayor
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
P.O. BOX 145474
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 306
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-5474
WWW.SLCMAYOR.COM
TEL 801-535-7704
2023, when a contractor performed the work at cost to the City of $35,000. Despite that effort,
waste has slowly started accumulating again.
This road has been previously closed under the direction of Salt Lake City Fire Department due to
hazardous conditions caused by standing ice and water. The Fire and Police Departments are
supportive of this proposal.
To further deter illegal dumping, potential hazards, and reduce impact of costly cleanups, the
Administration is proposing to close the 7200 West between California Ave and I-80 (see exhibit A).
Utah Code 72-5-105 requires that any closure may not impair the rights-of-way or easements of any
property owner and the franchise rights of any public utility, and that all property owners must still
have reasonable access to their property.
The closure will consist of a physical barrier, swing arm gate, installed at each closure point. Keys
will be provided to adjacent property owners and a Knox Box will be installed for Fire Department’s
access.
Union Pacific, owner of the railroad tracks within the proposed temporary closure, will retain access
to their property and has provided a letter of support (see attachment 2).
Rio Tinto (Kennecott), owner of multiple parcels within the proposed temporary closure, will retain
access to their property and has provided a letter of support for this closure (see attachment 3).
Waste Management, owner of the Mountain View Landfill with an access gate within the proposed
closure has also provided a letter of support (see attachment 4).
No other property owners would be impacted by this temporary closure.
PUBLIC PROCESS:
This temporary closure is not subject to the early notification process as per the exemption included
in City Code 2.60.050C3.
EXHIBITS:
A. Legal Description and Map of 7200 West Closure Between California Ave (1400 S) and I-80
B. Letters of Support from Union Pacific, Rio Tinto (Kennecott) and Waste Management
C. Ordinance adopting the temporary closure.
17200 WEST
POWER LINE - CALIFORNIA AVE
ENGINEERING
DIVISION
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION PUBLIC SERVICES SURVEY DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION
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EXHIBIT "A"
Rio Tinto Kennecott, 4700 Daybreak Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84009
Rio Tinto Kennecott
4700 Daybreak Parkway
South Jordan, Utah 84009
Tel: (801) 204-2000
Sent via Email
09 February 2024
Public Services Department
Salt Lake City Corporation
451 South State Street, Room 135
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
RE: Temporary Closure of a Section of 7200 West
To Whom It May Concern:
As a representative of Kennecott Utah Copper LLC (Kennecott), owner of the parcels
on both sides of the proposed road closure, I express support for the temporary road
closure at 7200 West between California Ave (1400 S) and I-80 with the
understanding that Kennecott will have gate access.
Kennecott supports this project as a practical solution to reduce illegal dumping,
encampments, and other illicit activites along the corridor. The impacts of which have
spilled over onto Kennecott property. These activities are a cause for environmental
and safety concerns for Kennecott’s employees, contractors, and tenants.
Kennecott will remain in communication with the City project contacts during this
temporary closure and will share any additional concerns if they arise.
If you have questions about this letter of support, you can contact me
via email at colton.norman@riotinto.com or by phone at (385) 253-0910.
Sincerely,
Colton Norman
Principal Advisor – Land Managment
Rio Tinto Kennecott
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
650 Davis Rd
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Nathan Anderson
Senior Director, Public Affairs
Corporate Relations
P 801-212-5415
F 402-501-2301
E nanderson@up.com
March 7, 2024
RE: Temporary Closure of a section of 7200 W
To Whom it May Concern:
Union Pacific Railroad, owner of the rail line that is crossed by 7200West in Salt Lake City, supports the
proposed road closure between California Ave (1400 S) and I-80, as long as access by railroad personnel
and equipment remains open. We have been assured that gates installed will be made accessible to
appropriate Union Pacific personnel.
We support this project for general safety and rail efficiency reasons. Illegal dumping and potential for
trespassing/encampments put our employees at risk and prevent safe access to our property. This can
create delays in getting crews to and from trains which impacts safe and efficient train movement and can
have ramifications to the motoring public by unnecessarily blocking crossings in the area
I will remain in communication with the City’s project contacts during this temporary closure and will share
with them any additional concerns if they arise.
If you have questions about this letter of support, you can contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Nathan Anderson
Senior Director, Public Affairs
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SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. ________ of 2024
(Temporarily closing a portion of 7200 West Street between California Avenue and the
Southerly Boundary of Tax Parcel 14-03-300-001-0000)
An ordinance temporarily closing a portion of 7200 West Street between California
Avenue and the Southerly Boundary of Tax Parcel 14-03-300-001-0000, pursuant to Utah Code
Section 72-5-105.
WHEREAS, areas along 7200 West Street north of California Avenue and adjacent to the
Union Pacific rail line that is located approximately 3/4ths of a mile north of California Avenue
have been used for dangerous criminal activity, including illegally dumping debris, including
hazardous materials; and
WHEREAS, Utah Code Subsection 72-5-105(3) allows a municipality to temporarily
close a class C road to mitigate unsafe conditions after following the procedures specified under
Utah Code Subsection 72-5-105(5), which requires the city to hold a public hearing on the
temporary closure and provide notice to the Utah Department of Transportation and the adjacent
landowners of the public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the city has complied with the procedures set forth in Utah Code Subsection
72-5-105(5); and
WHEREAS, the city has partnered with Salt Lake County as part of a coordinated clean
up effort, which includes mitigating the unsafe conditions adjacent to the portion of 7200 West
Street described herein; and
WHEREAS, the abutting property owners are supportive of this temporary closure and
the efforts to clean up areas adjacent to 7200 West Street; and
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WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds after holding a public hearing on this
matter, that there is good cause for the temporary closure of the portion of 7200 West Street
described herein to mitigate the unsafe conditions caused by illegal dumping of hazardous
materials and other debris;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Temporarily Closing a City-Owned Right-of-Way. That a portion of 7200
West Street situated between California Avenue and the Southerly Boundary of Tax Parcel 14-
03-300-001-0000, and which is more particularly shown and described on Exhibit “A” attached
hereto, is hereby temporarily closed as a public right-of-way pursuant to Utah Code Section 72-
5-105 for the period described in Section 2 below and is declared not presently necessary or
available for use as a public right-of-way during that period.
SECTION 2. Temporary Closure Period; Reopening. In accordance with the planned
coordinated clean-up and criminal detection and prevention activities, the portion of 7200 West
Street described herein shall be closed as a public right-of-way from the effective date of this
ordinance until two years thereafter or thirty (30) days after mitigation of the unsafe conditions is
completed, whichever occurs first. Upon the conclusion of the temporary closure period, the
mayor shall direct that the portion of 7200 West Street described in Exhibit "A" hereto shall be
reopened and all obstructions to vehicular traffic removed.
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its
publication.
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Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this _______ day of
______________, 2024.
______________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor's Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2024
Published: ______________.
Ordinance temporarily closing a portion of 7200 W_v1
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:__________________________________
By: ___________________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
March 11, 2024