Continuing coverage of Cottonwood Heights 20-year anniversary/birthday celebrations, Mayor Mike Weichers invited residents to honor the city’s history throughout this year and play a part in shaping the future for the residential community. 

“We remain committed to finding new and better ways to engage with our residents and those we serve,” Weichers said. “We will…actively explore best practices to ensure effective communication and meaningful feedback from our community as it continues to improve.” 

Weichers mentioned the city council and staff’s reestablished commitment to enhancing communication to residents through daily updates on social media, email notifications and the monthly newsletter (attached to the City Journal). 

“Through the years, we’ve built a city that, I believe, reflects the best of Utah. We’ve established vital services, fostered economic vitality, and nurtured a strong sense of identity,” Weichers said. 

Looking forward, the city council will be focusing on their established goals of: continuing to create a sense of community; improving community services; strengthening all forms of public safety; building partnerships to attract business; and improving infrastructure. 

In line with these goals, 183 new business licenses were issued in 2024. With the already existing 860 building permits, 1,422 active businesses have their homebase in Cottonwood Heights. 

Developing the anticipated Hillside Plaza will likely bring more businesses into the city as well. Weichers is excited to begin drafting a contract agreement with a potential development partner to transform the area.

“With you, I look forward to enjoying the opportunities and experiences this vibrant new space will offer,” Weichers said. “We believe that this redevelopment will serve as a catalyst for revitalization of a much larger area….”  

Weichers not only invited residents to participate in the city’s activities this year but also highlighted important events from the city’s history during his State of the City Address Jan. 15. He invited former Mayor Mike Peterson and former Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore to help him portray the importance and impact of a few of these influential events. 

“Neighbors for Cottonwood Heights (a nonprofit cooperation for the purpose of exploring the feasibility of incorporating Cottonwood Heights as its own city) recognized immediate action was required to prevent existing cities from furthering annexing the commercial tax base…and preserve the uniqueness of the community,” Cullimore said. 

“Think about that original community council who loved the city. It was those people who planted the seed. It was Mayor Cullimore who took it to the residents making it all happen,” Peterson said. 

In 2004, 85% of the community voted to incorporate Cottonwood Heights into its own city. From the actions of Neighbors for Cottonwood Heights, the city was formerly incorporated in 2005. 

“At the time, billboards were a big deal,” Cullimore said. “Not much has changed.” 

In 2008, Cullimore and Cottonwood Heights Police Chief Robby Russo departed from Salt Lake County’s policing services to form a city-specific police department. 

“We understand the priority our residents place on safety and security and the CHPD remains dedicated to serving with this focus in mind,” Weichers said. “The community autism outreach program… continues to lead the state as an exemplary program designed to enhance understanding within this community.” 

In 2016, the city council (at the time) made the decision to end a public works services contract in order to bring services in-house. 

Various volunteer and resident-lead committees and councils have formed throughout the last 20 years. Weichers recognized the impacts of the contributions from the Arts Council, Historic Committee, Youth City Council, and Parks, Trails and Open Space Committee. 

“Early visions for open space and trail networks have come to life, with the leadership of (Peterson), building a vision we continue to enhance and implement today….” Weichers said. 

Marking a significant change in the community network supporting Cottonwood Heights, City Manager Jared Gerber and Director of Records, Culture and Human Resources Barbara Higgins will be spending their first year employed with the city celebrating this 20-year benchmark. 

In coordination with the State of the City Address, a 20th Anniversary video for the city was created and published on YouTube. To view the video, visit the Cottonwood Heights channel on YouTube and search: “Cottonwood Heights 20th Anniversary.” λ