The Wasatch County Council has officially adopted a comprehensive update to the General Plan, concluding a community-driven process that lasted more than one year. This updated guiding document is intended to inform policies and decisions by proactively balancing growth with the preservation of the resources, values, and character that define Wasatch County.
The last comprehensive general plan update for the county was completed in 2001.
The adoption follows a public hearing held on Wednesday, which served as the final step in a process involving technical studies, interagency coordination, and extensive community outreach. The update effort, which began in March 2025, included a dedicated citizen advisory committee that met during the fall of 2025, along with contributions from hundreds of participants through surveys, open houses, and online mapping exercises.
Planner Austin Corry stated that the plan is improved by the high level of community participation, noting that conversations from various engagement methods helped shape the final product. Residents played a role in identifying the values, priorities, and tradeoffs that formed the vision, goals, and policies within the document.
While Utah state code requires general plans to address land use, housing, transportation, and water, the Wasatch County plan includes additional goals regarding economic health, public services, and environmental stewardship. Corry emphasized that the decision to lead the plan with environmental stewardship was intentional to prioritize the protection of water quality, wildlife, agricultural lands, and scenic landscapes.
The General Plan serves as a foundation for future land use decisions, including master plans, local area plans, and development regulations, though it does not directly change zoning or approve specific developments. The plan includes implementation strategies, performance measures, and a schedule for ongoing review.
Key components of the update include managing growth away from sensitive areas, maintaining rural separation in unincorporated areas, and treating roads and trails as critical shared systems. The plan's appendices also feature a County Resource Management Plan and a Jordanelle Local Area Plan, which provides specific guidance for the 33,000-acre Jordanelle Planning Area.
