Let's Talk: South Bench Drive, Part 3: How far along in development is it in?

This is part 3 or a 6 part series.  See part 2 and part 1.

Technically, South Bench Drive has not yet been approved so it isn't in development at all.  BUT remember, the 2014 general plan did approve a road going from 475 E to the Posse grounds and towards Old Fort Road.  The Cook property, located near the Posse grounds was approved for a development called Harvest Park in October of 2018.   That road to the posse grounds is currently underway for that development. It is now called South Bench Drive phase 1, though it wasn't called that in 2014.  Still with me?

Also in the 2014 plan, a median was added to 475 to divert traffic to this new road.  The median is currently underway on 475 right now.  Called a 'sweeping T', it will veer to the east as you come off I-84.  While traffic that desires to move south down 475 will be mostly unhindered, traffic traveling north on on 475 towards I-84 will now need to stop and then jog left. If the 2019 general plan is approved as is with South Bench Drive, and the amount of commercial added to the northeast end of 475, it would make sense to divert traffic this way.  However, because this is not yet approved, this median is felt premature by some who recognize this will be a dead end road into a residential area for some time.

It was a surprise to many when the plans showed up on the Wasatch Choice 2050 plan.   I did some research and found that in February 27, 2018 city council meeting, it is mentioned that Mayor Jo and city engineer Brandon Jones will be attending the Wasatch Choice Workshop where a number of different entities, including UDOT, will also be attending. They will plan to present South Bench Drive to begin to drum up supports/grants from the county and state.   Additionally, in the audio of the March 13th, 2018 file (minute 43:00-45:00), the mayor states that she will be meeting with Layton City's mayor to discuss where South Bench Drive will meet in Layton.  She also reports back on her visit to the Wasatch Choice workshop and says that if the council chooses to accept the South Bench Drive amendment to the general plan, Wasatch Choice will update their maps as well.  Manager Mark McRae says that he will be meeting with UDOT in the coming weeks and asks if he should relay this information on, to which Mayor Jo agrees, stating that the more we get it out there, the better.

Screen shot from March 18, 2018 minutes where Jo discusses going to the Wasatch Choice workshop.

Screen shot of Wasatch Choice 2050 plan website

It is also interesting in that same audio file, the mayor mentions that after Wasatch Choice spent some time discussing how the population of Utah will increase substantially by 2050 the mayor asked the representative they were speaking with if South Weber should work towards adding more high density/moderate income housing.  The representative responded saying "he thinks our city oughta just stay the way it is" to which the mayor reports was refreshing to hear. 

Up Next: When will it happen? #swmorethan20