The Cottonwood Heights Planning Commission will hear Dunn Associates present its structural analysis of the historic Old Mill when the commission meets Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The meeting also includes public hearings on two home-based business permits: a 12-child daycare on Ponderosa Drive and a massage practice near 2325 East.

The business session begins at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 2277 E. Bengal Blvd. A 5 p.m. work session precedes it. Both sessions will stream on the city's YouTube channel.

Old Mill structural report

Dunn Associates Inc. will present its structural integrity assessment and preservation cost study of the Old Mill, located at 6851 S. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. The Cottonwood Heights City Council hired the firm in June under Resolution 2026-40, as we reported Sept. 2.

The mill, built between 1880 and 1883 from granite quarried for the Salt Lake Temple, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971 and was condemned in 2005. A 2024 cost analysis by Gilson Engineering estimated reconstruction would exceed $45 million, in part because the structure lacks a foundation, according to a February 2026 Cottonwood Heights Journal report.

Property owner WDOM Properties LLC filed a demolition permit application Jan. 9. Under city code, the Planning Commission must wait at least one year before acting on that application, meaning no decision before Jan. 21, 2027. The City Council must also approve a separate Certificate of Appropriateness before any demolition could proceed.

At the Jan. 21 hearing on the demolition application, James Kichas, chair of the Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee, urged the commission to "prioritize preservation" and "reject expedited demolition," calling the mill's history of neglect a reason for "careful consideration of all preservation and documentation options before any irreversible action is taken."

A petition opposing demolition had gathered 1,624 verified signatures as of Jan. 17, the Journal reported.

The report's specific findings have not been made public ahead of the presentation.

Home childcare permit

Bayan Arian is seeking a conditional use permit to operate Lovein Nest Childcare at 7164 S. Ponderosa Drive. The staff report recommends approval with conditions.

The daycare would serve up to 12 children under age 5, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. One non-resident employee would work on site. A revised parking plan shows two garage spaces, one side-yard employee spot and three driveway positions for drop-off and pickup. Outdoor play would be restricted to after 8 a.m., and a fence and gate must be installed before the backyard is used.

Property owners within 500 feet were notified of the hearing.

Home massage permit

ReAnne Cram and Brett Clark are requesting a conditional use permit to run a home massage business, RESYNC LC, at 7640 S. 2325 E. Details of the staff recommendation were not available in the published meeting packet.

How to weigh in

Written comments must reach [email protected] by noon Tuesday, Oct. 6, to be distributed to commissioners before the meeting. Speakers at the business session get three minutes each, or five minutes for a group spokesperson. Comments cannot be made through the YouTube broadcast.

The next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 21.