Save Not Pave Voter Guide

Cottonwood Heights District 4: Ellen Birrell vs. Ernie Kim

Election season is back—like pumpkin spice, but with more yard signs.

A lot of people have been asking where the District 4 candidates stand on the big stuff: safety, livability, and whether we’ll ever stop feeling like Wasatch Boulevard is auditioning for Fast & Furious 12.

Both candidates—Ellen Birrell (the incumbent) and Ernie Kim (the challenger)—agree on one thing:
the UDOT gondola idea should stay a PowerPoint slide and not become a skyline.

They both say they want safer streets, clearer communication, and a city government that acts less like a secret club and more like a group project you can actually see.

We broke down where they line up and what to watch as Cottonwood Heights heads into another chapter of “Can we fix traffic without losing our mountain chill?”

Gondola & Canyon Access

Both candidates oppose UDOT’s gondola project in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

• Ellen Birrell emphasizes that the gondola’s 2,500-stall parking structure and towering infrastructure would damage community character and threaten watershed safety. She supports practical, flexible alternatives like valley parking nodes, expanded ski-bus service, and year-round shuttles that reduce congestion and emissions.

• Ernie Kim also opposes the gondola, citing its cost, environmental footprint, and lack of infrastructure readiness. He favors enhanced bus service, timed traffic metering, and better use of park-and-ride lots.

Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency

• Ellen Birrell supports zero-based budgeting—rebuilding the city budget from scratch each year—and wants all non-confidential city projects publicly listed with progress tracking and completion notes. She’s also pushed for a public works review committee to ensure new projects meet city ordinances and master plans.

• Ernie Kim focuses on clearer communication around spending and wants regular audits, open meetings, and accessible financial summaries so residents can see how funds are used.

Wasatch Boulevard & Safety

• Ellen Birrell has led council action to remove language in the Wasatch Blvd plan that encouraged private vehicle use of bus lanes and authored a resolution capping future road speeds at 35 mph. She promotes using federal “betterment” funds to add safety features like narrower lanes, crossings, and medians.

• Ernie Kim agrees Wasatch Blvd should not be widened in its current form and supports lowering speed limits, adding protected bike lanes, and improving pedestrian crossings.

Accountability & Coordination with UDOT

• Ellen Birrell points to real examples of gaps between city and UDOT oversight—like lighting failures that contributed to a fatal crosswalk crash—and wants a digital system for tracking and publicizing all city projects. She continues to push for stronger internal coordination and use of federal safety grants such as Safe Streets for All (SS4A).

• Ernie Kim favors coalition-building among neighboring cities and data-driven advocacy to hold UDOT accountable when projects don’t reflect community input.

Neighborhood Character & Livability

• Ellen Birrell stresses enforcing design standards already in city ordinances, including tree-lined streets and medians, as well as strengthening short-term-rental oversight to preserve aesthetics and reduce noise. She also supports programs to help homeowners maintain trees and yards.

• Ernie Kim speaks broadly about responsible development that protects open space, maintains neighborhood charm, and ensures community values guide zoning changes.

🧭 Summary

Both candidates share opposition to the gondola and support safer, more transparent governance.
Ellen Birrell brings a proven record of action—advocating lower speeds, improved transparency, and accountability in city-state coordination. Her policy experience and focus on safety systems align closely with Save Not Pave’s mission to build a safer, smarter, and more livable Cottonwood Heights.Why this update

Before ballots arrive, we asked the mayoral candidates to answer five questions on the gondola, alternatives and funding, Wasatch Blvd redesign/safety, working with UDOT, and their overall vision and accountability. Below is a clear, neutral summary based only on the statements they provided.

Quick takeaways

• Both candidates oppose the gondola and oppose using tax dollars to fund it. Both describe Wasatch Blvd as a scenic gateway and support safer speeds with separated space for people walking and biking.

• Main differences, in their words:

  • Gondola/EIS path: Rep. Gaylynn Bennion emphasizes long-standing opposition and work with grassroots groups, and highlights non‑gondola strategies outside the litigated EIS/ROD. Mayor Mike Weichers supports moving ahead with Phase I of the EIS (Gravel Pit Mobility Hub + enhanced bussing), says it is already funded, and also states opposition to the gondola.

  • Wasatch Blvd speed target: Bennion cites 35 mph. Weichers supports 35 mph and says he voted for a city resolution requesting it.

  • Widening/flex lane: Bennion opposes widening except for a bus flex lane where it fits and helps flow. She says no to sound barriers and yes to protected bike paths, separated pedestrian paths and traffic calming. Weichers focuses on a redesign with protected paths and safer crossings; his reply does not explicitly address widening.

Side‑by‑side summary (from each candidate’s reply)

1) Gondola commitment

• Bennion: Opposed since 2021; led a statement of opposition; works closely with grassroots opposition and is endorsed by one of their leaders; will prioritize work against the gondola.

• Weichers: Opposes the gondola; voted for a city resolution opposing it; will actively oppose any attempt by UDOT to move it forward.

2) Alternatives & public funding

• Bennion: Will vigorously oppose any tax dollars for the gondola or related infrastructure; endorses enhanced bussing, tolling, carpooling, and other strategies not in the litigated EIS/ROD; sponsored traction legislation in the 2025 session.

• Weichers: Supports Phase I of the UDOT EIS: Mobility Hub at the Gravel Pit + enhanced bussing; says it’s already funded and can proceed when related lawsuits no longer include Phase I; opposes tax dollars for the gondola.

3) Wasatch Blvd widening & safety

• Bennion: Opposes widening (with the exception of a bus flex lane where it would fit and help); targets 35 mph; supports a separated bike path, safer crossings, and traffic calming; opposes sound walls due to impacts on the riding experience.

• Weichers: Supports 35 mph and reports voting for a city resolution requesting it; supports protected bike and pedestrian paths and safer intersection crossings; states UDOT has been agreeable to these features.

4) Working with UDOT

• Bennion: Productive but probing relationship; brings constituents to meet UDOT leadership; asks legal/policy questions; collaborated with UDOT on the traction law; prioritizes anti‑gondola work.

• Weichers: Emphasizes monthly meetings and a strong working relationship to ensure city goals are honored as projects move forward.

5) Vision & accountability

• Bennion: Sees Wasatch as a scenic gateway / Wasatch Mountain Parkway; would track crash data, ped/bike use, surveys, and pursue 35–40 mph to cut speeds and noise.

• Weichers: Sees Wasatch as a scenic gateway; says Phase I and II of the EIS are positive solutions to prevent a commuter highway and to create a safer route for people walking and biking; presents himself as the leader to ensure UDOT upholds city interests as the phases advance.

Clarifications we’ve requested

• To Mayor Weichers: You describe Phase I and II as positive solutions. Please clarify whether your support for “Phase II” excludes a gondola. If so, which components of Phase II do you support, and which would you oppose?

• To Rep. Bennion: Also, how would you define where a bus flex lane “fits”—what criteria (right‑of‑way, crossings, transit performance, frontage impacts) would guide that decision?

We’ll share any additional responses as we receive them.

What these differences could mean in practice

• Speed policy: A firm 35 mph commitment may lead to stronger early alignment on design speed, gateway character, and noise reduction. A 35–40 mph window still backs traffic calming but leaves final speed to pending design studies and public input. Currently UDOTs target speed limit for Wasatch is 45 mph

• Lane configuration: A stance that opposes widening except a targeted bus flex lane tends to constrain asphalt growth while reserving room for transit priority where it demonstrably improves safety and flow. A redesign that emphasizes protected paths and safer crossings without explicit widening language can still deliver safety wins; details will matter.

• UDOT engagement: A probing advocacy approach (constituent meetings with UDOT leadership, legal/policy questions) and a monthly coordination approach can both influence outcomes; members may weigh which style feels most likely to secure specific safety features on Wasatch and to block unwanted canyon megaprojects.

How to use this information

• Share with neighbors who are deciding how to vote on transportation and safety priorities.

• Send us your top two priorities for Wasatch Blvd safety (e.g., 35 mph cap, protected intersections at trailheads, frequent crossings with median refuges, daylighting near driveways, separated bike paths, transit priority without widening).

• Tell us where you agree or want more clarity, so we can follow up with candidates and share more detail before ballots are cast.

Questions or feedback? Reply to this message and we’ll compile member input for a follow‑up update.

Thank you for staying engaged and for advocating for common‑sense safety solutions.

— Save Not Pave