Clint Smith, Draper's first and only fire chief, is retiring Friday, Nov. 13.
The Draper City Council voted 5-0 at its Tuesday, Nov. 10 meeting to appoint Deputy Fire Chief Steve Pearson as interim chief, according to OpenUtah's coverage of the meeting. Mayor Walker will search for a permanent replacement.
A public farewell ceremony for Smith is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13. The city's November/December Draper Forward newsletter includes a tribute to the retiring chief.
Duffin rezoning delayed indefinitely
The Duffin property rezoning never got a hearing. The applicant asked to push the matter to a date uncertain, and the council agreed 5-0.
The proposal, covered under Ordinances #1743 and #1744, would rezone 7.71 acres near 267 W. 11915 S. from R3 single-family residential to CBP business and light manufacturing, according to a public hearing notice posted Oct. 29. The land use designation would also shift from Residential Medium Density to Business & Light Manufacturing.
No decision was made.
The public hearing had been scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Draper City Hall. No new hearing date has been set. Residents can check the city's website for updates on when the item returns to the agenda.
New firefighters, UTA crossing deal
The meeting was not all goodbyes. Two new firefighters, Tyler Goodman and Blake Kennedy, were sworn in with badge pinnings by family members.
The council also approved a license agreement with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) for a road crossing over UTA's light rail corridor at Mile Post NS 17.30. UTA waived its administrative and inspection fees, so the deal costs the city nothing.
Public comment and proclamation
Resident Peter Warhatch urged the city to replace aging wooden fences along the 11400 South border with Sandy. He noted Sandy's side features masonry fencing, while Draper's side has aging wood. Warhatch cited curb appeal and safety concerns given higher traffic speeds in the area.
Mayor Walker proclaimed Nov. 7-14, 2026, as Kindness Week Worldwide and posed for a photo with the community engagement committee.
