UTA reconsidering Bluffdale rail stop

BLUFFDALE — The Utah Transit Authority is reconsidering a planned commuter rail stop here although construction of the rails has been under way for more than a month.

The south valley transit center could be located in any of three Draper spots close to Bangerter Highway and the Jordan River. The stop could also end up at 14600 South in Bluffdale even though a majority of the City Council there is against it.

UTA began reconsidering the location after it was approached by members of the Draper City Council who hope to create a regional economic and residential center in their city. The council voted to allow a developer to set his own height and density limits for buildings in the project.

The situation has some residents relieved but others up in arms.

Bluffdale Councilwoman Nancy Lord believes locating the station in Draper would give her city transit options nearby while maintaining its rural character.

Bluffdale City Councilman Bruce Kartchner, who wants the station in his city, takes a different view, questioning UTA's process.

"I find it interesting some of the analysis that they did," he said. "I wonder how objective some of these are."

Kartchner noted UTA is using local zoning as a criterion though state law lets the transit authority override municipal decisions.

The councilman also questioned ridership estimates that assume motorists will use Bangerter Highway to access the proposed site, though no access is currently available. UTA has changed its criteria over time, he said.

The four possible sites were discussed during a public hearing Monday. All sites would require infrastructure improvements, but each of the Draper sites would require new roads.

Also, two of the proposed Draper sites are on state-owned land. The piece at 13500 South is statutorily defined as open space while the other, at 14000 South, is on property owned by the state prison. The latter piece is the least likely to be approved because the only available land is on the east side of tracks, so would require a $4 million pedestrian bridge.

The third Draper site, at 12800 South, is on private property abutting a residential neighborhood. Draper officials hope to swap that land with the open space piece but must rely on the Legislature to make that change.