Canyon Development

Today’s Priorities

First, are the immediate and practical components of building cabins and developing properties. This includes the zoning and approval process under local code, as well as compliance with FCOZ (Foothills and Canyons Overlay Zone).

Some people are very familiar with FCOZ, but for those who aren’t, it is a special zoning district created by Salt Lake County to regulate development in sensitive areas like Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood, and the Wasatch foothills. The FCOZ ordinance governs building types, setbacks, landscaping, access, and watershed protection.

The goals of FCOZ include enforcing building standards, protecting the environment, ensuring public safety, and ensuring reliable access to water and utilities. Every new cabin or rebuild in Big Cottonwood must comply with FCOZ and demonstrate adherence to requirements such as height limits, setbacks, materials standards, and lot size minimums.

While FCOZ requirements have been a source of frustration for some, I think it has ultimately helped ensure that development is done carefully  and prevented the kind of high-density build-out we see in places like Park City.

The Big Picture

The other dimension of canyon development is the long-term outlook. Big Cottonwood is gradually moving toward full build-out within the next 10–20 years, when every buildable lot will have a cabin and every water share will be utilized.

When that happens there is going to be a shift from a period of expansion to one of stewardship. The focus will move away from approving new builds and toward managing what already exists – transitioning from new construction to renovation and preservation.

Knowing that we’re moving from an era of growth to an era of management, the question becomes: how do we make choices today that protect the qualities that make this canyon such a desirable place to live?

There’s no single answer, but I believe we must prioritize policies that promote resource efficiency, environmental protection, and preserve the character of the town. Once full build-out occurs and the canyon is effectively “locked,” we can’t go back — we only have one shot to get this right.

Please share your feedback.