Sandy City Council members are weighing whether to spend $157,000 on a study that could determine the future of a road through Dimple Dell Regional Park.

The catch for Draper residents: the study will not move forward unless Draper City also funds its share, according to KUTV, which first reported the story Nov. 9. No dollar figure for Draper's portion has been made public.

The proposed study would examine whether extending Highland Drive through Dimple Dell is necessary and, if not, what other uses the corridor could serve. Sandy Council Member Kris Nicholl, who proposed the funding, said in a Facebook comment that she is not advocating for the road, KUTV reported.

Matt Perry, Sandy City Council communications director, said the study would also look at alternatives to address Sandy's traffic concerns, including the possibility of taking no action.

"Part of the challenge of this study is that we don't yet know what those options are," Perry told KUTV. "This study is in fact what will lift up those options."

Draper's role

If the study proceeds, Sandy Public Works Director Ryan Kump and his staff would work with counterparts in Draper, the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), according to KUTV.

The Draper City Council agenda for its Nov. 10 meeting does not include any item related to the Highland Drive study or a funding decision. No public statement from Draper's mayor or council members on the proposal appears in available records.

The two cities have partnered before. Draper's 2020 Active Transportation Plan was a joint effort between Draper, Sandy and the WFRC, with technical support from UDOT.

Sandy residents push back

Sandy resident Deb Hafner, who has lived in Sandy since 2013 and rides horses in Dimple Dell, told KUTV she doubts the road will be built and questions whether the city has the funds.

She said she worries that if the study recommends the road, Sandy could feel pressure to find money to build it, including through raising taxes. If the study recommends against the road, Hafner wants to know what would happen to corridor property, rights of way and easements.

"We shouldn't have to choose between protecting Dimple Dell and solving traffic," Hafner said.

What comes next

Sandy's $157,000 would come from the city's budget carryover process, which reallocates money that was budgeted but not spent, along with unexpected revenue, KUTV reported. A public hearing and possible vote on the amended budget package are scheduled for Nov. 17, Perry said.

Perry encouraged Sandy residents to submit concerns to [email protected]. When and whether Draper's required funding decision will reach the Draper City Council remains unclear.