Input is sought on west bench

Salt Lake County today will begin the latest round of gathering public input on plans for a massive west-bench development stretching from South Jordan to I-80 and the possible creation of a new zoning category that could clear the way for that development.

Two public open houses are planned for the county's west-side neighborhoods:

• Today, Brockbank Junior High School, LGI Science Building, 2935 S. 8560 West, Magna, 6-8 p.m.

• Wednesday, Kearns High School cafeteria, 5255 S. 4800 West, Kearns, 6-8 p.m.

The County Council is considering creating a new zoning category, known as the planned community (P-C) zone, that would apply to any piece of land of at least 1,000 acres with one owner or a group of owners voluntarily consolidating their zoning request.

It would be a mixed-use zone allowing developers to create a master plan for a community with parks, residential areas, business areas and open space.

Likely the first — and biggest — use for that zone would be Kennecott Land's efforts to develop 41,000 acres along the Salt Lake Valley's west bench.