Rethinking roads, Driving Change

Don’t Let Cottonwood Heights Abandon the Canyons

Dear Save Not Pave Members,
We have a serious issue on our hands.
The Cottonwood Heights City Council is actively considering pulling our city out of the Central Wasatch Commission (CWC)—a move that would leave our community without a seat at the table when it comes to decisions about the future of our canyons.

Why does this matter?
Cottonwood Heights is the city most directly impacted by canyon access, tourism traffic, and development pressure. The CWC exists to promote thoughtful planning, protect our watershed, and preserve access to the outdoors—things we cannot afford to lose influence over.

Leaving the CWC raises serious questions:
    •    Are we prioritizing development over environmental responsibility?
    •    Does our leadership represent what the citizens actually want?
    •    Who will advocate for our safety, our neighborhoods, and our access to the Wasatch?

This isn’t just politics—it’s about not wrecking the good stuff we actually like.
Like air. Water. Trees. 
We’re not against growth—we just want the kind that doesn’t feel like we lost a bet.
We want a say in what happens to our canyons...
Because one day our kids are gonna ask,
“Hey, remember nature?”
And we wanna be able to say,
“Yeah... we protected that.”

What you can do:
1.    Attend the City Council Work Session
Tuesday, April 15 | 7PM
2277 East Bengal Blvd 

Speak up during public comment to keep Cottonwood Heights in the CWC.
2.    Contact your city council members

Mike Weichers MWeichers@ch.utah.gov
Matt Holton District1: district1@ch.utah.gov
Suzanne Hyland District 2: shyland@ch.Utah.gov
Shawn Newell District 3:  snewell@ch.utah.gov
Ellen Birrell District 4: ellenbirrell@gmail.com
Jared Gerber City Manager: gerber@ch.utah.gov

If you can’t attend, send them an email. Let them know this matters to you.

3.    Spread the word share this email or our website savenotpave.org
Forward this to friends and neighbors. Let’s pack the room.

Thank you for standing up for a better future.

Micki Harris
Director, Save Not Pave

If you can't make it to the meeting, please write to the Mayor and Staff expressing your concerns.


Mike Weichers MWeichers@ch.utah.gov
Matt Holton District1: district1@ch.utah.gov
Suzanne Hyland District 2: shyland@ch.Utah.gov
Shawn Newell District 3:  snewell@ch.utah.gov
Ellen Birrell District 4: ellenbirrell@gmail.com
Jared Gerber City Manager: gerber@ch.utah.gov

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Mayor Weichers and City Council Members,

I am writing as a resident of Cottonwood Heights to urge you to remain a member of the Central Wasatch Commission (CWC).

As a city located at the gateway of both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, Cottonwood Heights is uniquely affected by canyon traffic, environmental pressures, and recreational demands. Now is not the time to step away from regional collaboration—now is the time to lean in.

The Central Wasatch Commission provides us with:

  • A seat at the table in decisions that directly affect our canyons, watershed, and neighborhoods.

  • Support for responsible transportation planning, including alternatives to widening Wasatch Blvd into a high-speed thoroughfare.

  • Advocacy for environmental protection, which is critical to our city’s long-term livability and outdoor access.

  • Collaboration with nearby cities, counties, and agencies, giving us a stronger, united voice in shaping the future of the Wasatch.

Leaving the CWC would isolate Cottonwood Heights at a time when coordination is more important than ever. It would send the message that we’re not interested in participating in sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, or collaborative problem-solving with our canyon neighbors.

As a resident, I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences of removing our city from the CWC. I ask you to prioritize long-term planning over short-term politics, and to represent the voices of those of us who value smart growth, open space, safe streets, and clean air.

Please keep Cottonwood Heights in the Central Wasatch Commission.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Street Address (optional)]

Cottonwood Heights, UT

[Email or phone (optional)]

Discover Our Mission:

The Story Behind Save Not Pave

Cottonwood Heights, Utah. The word spread quickly when residents learned that UDOT had plans to expand Wasatch Boulevard into a seven-lane thoroughfare, a transformation that would make the scenic, peaceful gateway feel like a freeway. Wasatch Boulevard wasn’t just a road; it was a cherished pathway to outdoor recreation and a place where people found peace amidst nature.

Follow us on social

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!