Sandy’s General Plan: Appendix B - Neighborhood Activity Centers
This is one I’m really excited about! The empty commercial areas around the city, especially our neighborhood’s Shopko, Albertsons, and Zaxbys are a major concern for me. They’re critical for our city’s tax base and the functionality enjoyment of our neighborhoods.
This will be a series of thoughts on our City’s General Plan. I think it is best to start with this document as the base for any conversation about our city. It is the result of extensive community feedback and expert planning.
Neighborhood Hubs That Bring Us Together
One of the things I love most about Sandy is its potential for connection—and Appendix B of the General Plan outlines exactly how we can create more of it. Neighborhood Activity Centers (NACs) are a smart way to reimagine underutilized spaces as places where neighbors can meet, shop, eat, and relax without having to drive across town. As your City Councilmember, I’ll push to make these community anchors a reality in District 3 and across the city.
Small-Scale, Big Impact
What makes NACs so powerful is their scale. They’re not massive developments—they’re neighborhood-sized nodes that serve everyday needs. I support this approach because it respects the character of our neighborhoods while still adding vibrancy, walkability, and economic opportunity. Change doesn’t have to be big to make a difference—it just has to be smart.
Tailored to Each Community
The Plan makes it clear that NACs should not be one-size-fits-all. Each district’s centers can reflect its unique character and needs. In District 3, that might mean more locally owned businesses, outdoor gathering areas, and safe connections to schools and parks. I’ll work to ensure that any proposed center enhances—not replaces—what already makes our neighborhoods feel like home.
Safe Streets and Strong Connections
A great activity center is only as good as how safely and easily people can reach it. I’ll prioritize sidewalk upgrades, street crossings, traffic calming, and bike routes that connect residents to these hubs. Walkable infrastructure makes a city healthier, safer, and more inclusive for everyone, from toddlers in strollers to seniors with walkers.
Supporting Local Business and Neighborhood Jobs
Neighborhood Activity Centers are more than just places to gather—they’re also places to work. I’ll champion zoning and development incentives that help local entrepreneurs open coffee shops, salons, childcare centers, and more in NACs. These hubs can bring jobs closer to where people live, strengthening our economy from the ground up.
Housing That Fits the Neighborhood
The General Plan encourages integrating small-scale housing near NACs—like townhomes, ADUs, and mixed-use buildings. I support this kind of “gentle density” where it makes sense. It gives seniors, young adults, and working families more choices without disrupting the look and feel of the neighborhoods we love.
Green Spaces That Invite Us to Stay
Great NACs aren’t just functional—they’re beautiful and welcoming. I’ll advocate for public plazas, native landscaping, shade trees, and pocket parks to make these areas destinations, not just pass-throughs. Let’s create spaces that invite people to linger, connect, and celebrate our shared community identity.
Revitalizing Aging Commercial Areas
Many of Sandy’s strip malls and aging intersections could become vibrant NACs with the right planning. I’ll lead efforts to rezone and redevelop these areas in partnership with businesses and neighbors, transforming blighted spaces into sources of pride and opportunity.
Community-Driven Planning Comes First
I believe the best plans come from listening first. I’ll make sure residents have real input before any NAC is developed or redesigned. That means town halls, surveys, and on-the-ground conversations that reflect the voices of those who live nearby. Nothing about us without us.
The Future of Sandy is Local
Neighborhood Activity Centers represent the kind of future I’m fighting for—a future where growth strengthens community, not just spreadsheets. I’m running to help Sandy grow in a way that’s rooted in livability, equity, and shared spaces. Together, we can build neighborhoods that don’t just house people—they connect them.
Source: Sandy’s General Plan: Appendix B - Neighborhood Activity Centers