Neighbors urge caution as board considers steep-lot variance on Majestic Canyon

Several neighbors urged the Sandy City Board of Adjustment to pause or deny the variance request for 10156 South Majestic Canyon Road, saying the lot is unusually steep and that they had not been informed prior to the hearing.

Sharon Orlando, who said she lives directly across the street, told the board: "We were not invited to comment prior to this meeting," and said residents were "extremely concerned" about safety and the impact on the street. Barbara Lee, identified as the next-door neighbor, asked whether a recently overhauled storm drain would need further work and raised the possibility that the property lies in a wildlife corridor. Daniel Reno, who said his yard is two houses downhill, warned: "If that house slides downhill, it's in our yard. So you better be sure it's not gonna slide before you approve it." These speakers asked the board to ensure engineering mitigations were binding conditions of approval.

Board members and staff responded during the meeting by pointing to conditions in the staff report requiring temporary shoring during excavation, a storm-drain upsizing and engineered designs stamped by professionals before permits advance. The board ultimately approved the variance while placing those engineering and permit requirements in the conditions.