Sandy annexes properties near Dimple Dell Park

SANDY — The City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to annex 28 properties near Dimple Dell Park into Sandy, despite protests from Salt Lake County.

The homes had been part of the proposed Granite Township, which is up for popular vote in November 2010.

The homes along Bell Canyon Road will now receive Sandy fire, water, police and garbage service. They will also pay Sandy property taxes.

"I'm ecstatic," said annexation petitioner Jason Nichol, who spent the summer rallying his neighbors to join the city. "It's good for us."

A week ago Tuesday, 10 of the property owners who originally consented to annexation withdrew their homes from the proposal. But following the meeting, several of them asked to be let back in, according to city officials.

One property owner even asked to be let in just before Tuesday's vote.

In the end, owners of 71 percent of the property value and 74 percent of the property area were in favor of annexation.

"I believe that the street and neighborhood should be ruled by the majority of the people who live there," said Councilman Scott Cowdell. "That's the way we do things."

The state law that Sandy cited to allow annexations is up for review before a Salt Lake County Boundary Commission, but that group has not met since receiving filings in the case, said Anne Ober, who represented Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon at Tuesday's meeting. Ober said she did not know whether the commission has authority to overturn the Sandy City Council's decision but said there are also legal options on the table.

"There are ongoing concerns about the spirit of the law," she said. "There may be ongoing debate."

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