Tasha Lowery, Draper City Council

Tasha Lowery, Draper City Council City Council page for Tasha Lowery. I am excited to serve you on Draper City Council. I love Draper. I am honest. I am direct. I'm smart and I do my research.

I decided to do this because I am you- a long time Draper resident with young children in public schools. I hike on the trails, use the parks, pay late fees to the library, and overspend at Harmons. I'm extremely invested in keeping Draper safe, prosperous, and beautiful. I love our canyons, our small and supportive community, our wonderful schools. I worry about the increasing congestion on our s

treets, poor air quality, and the need to plan strategically for the inevitable growth coming to our valley. I celebrate and support our small businesses and strive for continued and strategic economic growth. I will work hard for you and for our city. I'm a planner and I believe in due diligence and not rushing to decisions. I'm a team builder and I believe in bipartisanship and working inclusively. I hope you will take some time and get to know me better over the coming years. I look forward to hearing from you and learning about what you'd like to see in our city. I am a good listener and I will hear you and represent you honestly and fairly. Thank you! Page Policy-
All comments with profane language, harassment, personal attacks, or attempts to sell/market something will be promptly deleted.

City Council Summary: 8/18/20261- We heard a report from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and the Office of ...
08/19/2026

City Council Summary: 8/18/2026

1- We heard a report from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. Draper has done a fantastic job this summer of reducing water use—we are down 11% from last summer. Thank you! Water levels in the Great Salt Lake continue to be extremely low, and we are coming off the lowest snowpack on record. While much is being done to try to add water to the lake, it remains a critical issue.

2- We heard a report on Community Reinvestment Agencies throughout Draper and how these can be used to support economic development and make needed infrastructure improvements in the area.

3- We performed the Oath of Office for 65 new members of the Draper Mayor’s Youth Council. We are so glad to have these amazing kids involved in local government. Their service makes our awesome community events, such as the Tree Lighting and the Egg Hunt, possible. They learn about local and state government and what it means to be a public servant. We are glad to have the largest Youth Council in the entire state, with 110 active youth members and amazing parent and community advisors.

4- The Draper Library will be closing for approximately three months, from the end of August to the end of November, in order to renovate the HVAC system and complete necessary maintenance and repairs. Please feel free to use the Sandy Library while ours is unavailable.

5- We amended City Code to clean up and clarify code regarding residential units in the Town Center. This will allow properties under 1/2 acre to have a single residential unit added to an existing property.

6- We adopted the annual budget for 2026–2027. This included a 25% increase to the City’s portion of the property tax rate for the 2026–27 fiscal year—not a 25% increase to residents’ total property tax bill. The increase was necessary because property taxes currently cover less than half of Draper’s police and fire costs, while inflation has significantly increased the cost of emergency vehicles, equipment, roads, parks, and other essential services. The additional revenue will primarily help provide stable, long-term funding for police and fire services, while reducing the City’s reliance on reserves and unpredictable sales tax revenue. For the average Draper home, now valued at about $941,000, the increase is approximately $9.75 per month in the City portion of the property tax. You can see the budget in its entirety here:

https://www.draperutah.gov/media/wvymrio2/final-version-interim-budget-fy27.pdf

7- We amended Municipal Code regarding the structure and procedures of the Planning Commission as required by state law and to come into compliance with Senate Bill 284, which establishes the process and grounds for removing a Planning Commissioner from office.

Grateful to our community for making it possible to have top of the line equipment to keep our homes and families safe. ...
08/05/2026

Grateful to our community for making it possible to have top of the line equipment to keep our homes and families safe. Fires are scarier than ever these days, and our hearts are with all the communities in Utah and across our country who are living through horrific fires right now. We are proud of our Draper City Fire Department who have been on scene in Spokane. 🙏

City Council Summary- 8.4.261- We heard a report from the Historical Preservation Commission regarding ongoing projects...
08/05/2026

City Council Summary- 8.4.26

1- We heard a report from the Historical Preservation Commission regarding ongoing projects. Currently Draper is being surveyed for homes that have historical value, including structural integrity. Some of these homes can be recommended for the National Registry of Historic Places. We are also planning a plaque and a ceremony to recognize the importance of the Widowmaker Hill Climb.

2- We discussed City Beautification. Funds have been set aside in the new budget to make improvements to the entrances to Draper. We would like to add new signage welcoming people to our city and adding to our sense of place.

3- We continued a proposal to amend the Official Zoning Map of Draper City for approximately 1.67 acres located at approximately 12430 S. 700 East. The land is currently zoned as RA1 and RA2, one acre and 1/2 acre lots. The request was to switch to RA4, quarter acre lots. Although the land is bordered on one side by 1/4 acre lots, the majority of the surrounding property is 1/3 acres. We would like to see a more complete plan and proposal from the applicant.

4- We authorized the filing of an eminent domain action to acquire real property for the improvement of the LonePeak Parkway Project. This is for a small portion of land necessary in order to make important improvements on Lone Peak Parkway. These improvements are necessary for traffic and for line of sight safety.

5- We amended Titles 6 and 9 of the Draper City Municipal Code related to short-term rentals. This ordinance will require STR’s to have a business license and a short term rental permit. STR’s will be required to have a minimum stay of 2 nights, a local host who can respond promptly, an occupancy cap, and consequences, including the loss of the license to operate, if requirements are not followed. The goal is to protect the character of existing neighborhoods and improve public safety through clear rules of operation.

City Council Summary: 7/21/26*** After consulting with Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith and reviewing the dangerous fire co...
07/22/2026

City Council Summary: 7/21/26

*** After consulting with Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith and reviewing the dangerous fire conditions across our community, including our thousands of acres of vulnerable Open Space, we have made the difficult decision to petition the State Forester to continue the fireworks closure in Draper.

Recent fires have shown how quickly one small spark can threaten homes, strain emergency resources, and put our firefighters and residents at risk. We have had terrifyingly close calls in the past, with neighbors evacuated as the fires crept closer and closer. While this may not be the most popular decision, it is the right decision for the safety of our city.

We encourage everyone to celebrate the upcoming holiday safely, spend time with family and neighbors, and help us protect this precious and amazing community we all call home.

1- We received our annual ethics training from City Attorney Traci Gundersen.

2- We reviewed proposals for a new park in Suncrest in the Hidden Canyon area. We have set aside funding to add a much needed park to this area, which has been growing rapidly with families and young children. The park would likely include a playground, a paved trail, a grassy area, and a pavilion.

3- We reappointed Jamie Pogue to the Parks and Trails Committee- thank you for your longstanding commitment to and support of our community!

4- We approved a limited service restaurant license for Black Bear Dinner. This will allow them to sell beer and wine and mimosas on the weekends for brunch!

5- We approved an amendment to the official zoning map for approximately 1.1 acres located at 265E 13275S. This changes the property from RA1 to RA2 and matches the surrounding zoning and land use.

6- We continued a request for a land use and zoning map amendment for .31 acres located at 273E 13800S at the request of the applicant.

7- We continued a text amendment regarding short term rentals to allow staff time to make s various technical edits. This ordinance will require STR’s to have a business license and a short term rental permit. The goal is to protect the character of existing neighborhoods and improve public safety through clear rules of operation.

8- We adopted the Draper City Short Term Rental Good Neighborhood Guidelines. These reinforce city noise standards, parking requirements, having a local host who can be at the property in under 30 minutes, disallows larger gatherings above the occupancy capacity, etc.

9- We amended the consolidated fee schedule to include STR fees and reflect the updated waste management contract.

People say that being in public service is like wearing a backpack. At first, you barely notice it. But over time, you s...
07/19/2026

People say that being in public service is like wearing a backpack. At first, you barely notice it. But over time, you start to collect rocks. You make difficult decisions that weigh on you, decisions that sometimes frustrate friends and neighbors. You have to change a beloved program and residents are upset. Costs rise and you have to charge more for a service. Private land is developed that neighbors wanted saved as a horse pasture. The population grows and traffic increases.

Some of these rocks are so small you barely notice. Some are veritable boulders that keep you up at night.

We carry these burdens with us, back to our home and families. We serve in our own communities- our work is our neighbors and our parks where our children play and our trails where we hike and bike. Local government is, of course, local- it is closest to us, and we feel that, the same as you do.

But then we have a week, just one, set aside, every year, to celebrate what is right and good and beautiful and amazing about our community. We celebrate our heritage and we celebrate our future. We honor those who came before us and those who will be here long after we are gone. We see children dancing to local bands as the hot sun finally lowers down in a sky of deep purple and pinks and reds. We see our parents, some in wheelchairs, remembering what it was like to be a teenager on these warm summer nights on a grassy field. We see those same neighbors and friends and they lean in, and offer kind words of thanks and gratitude for this beautiful, special place we all call home.

And the weight in our backpacks feels a little less and the joy feels a little more. And we are reminded, again and always, why we live where we do, and the importance of this work to protect this special and precious and imperfect and wonderful place we call home.

I could not do this job without all of you. I would not do this work if not for all of you. Thank you, Draper.

Last day and night of Draper Days 2026 with a double finale of drones and fireworks. Come and celebrate our amazing comm...
07/18/2026

Last day and night of Draper Days 2026 with a double finale of drones and fireworks. Come and celebrate our amazing community!

Please be aware that the setup for Draper Days is different this year. The main stage for the concerts tonight and tomor...
07/17/2026

Please be aware that the setup for Draper Days is different this year. The main stage for the concerts tonight and tomorrow evening is now in the baseball field area closest to the Draper Library. This opens up a TON of grassy area for seating with great views. We hope you like the new setup!

Draper Days Concert tonight and our first ever drone show! Make sure to come by and celebrate our amazing city!
07/17/2026

Draper Days Concert tonight and our first ever drone show! Make sure to come by and celebrate our amazing city!

It may be hot outside but the show must go on! Join us tonight at 7pm at the Arena for the Horse Pull. This is a free ev...
07/13/2026

It may be hot outside but the show must go on!

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Arena for the Horse Pull. This is a free event with special activities for the kids-
Petting Zoo
Climbing Wall
Bucking Bronco Ride

There will be various food vendors on site if you want to grab dinner or a treat!

City Council Summary- 7/7/261- We heard a presentation on options for a River to Range trail connection across I-15. Thi...
07/08/2026

City Council Summary- 7/7/26

1- We heard a presentation on options for a River to Range trail connection across I-15. This is a project that will not occur for some time, but will ultimately allow better access to the Draper trail network for residents on the west side and in the Point development.

2- Scott Cooley, Director of Public Works, presented on major road improvement projects. These include regular pavement maintenance, resurfacing of Pioneer from 700E to 1300E and the addition of curb, gutter, and sidewalk, improvements on 700W, sidewalk gap completion projects, widening and alignment of Lone Peak Parkway, etc.

3- Rhett Ogden, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented current projects. Jensen Farm Park is nearing full completion and we will be hosting a special opening ceremony later this month. We are replacing several bridges in the canyon and the paved trail connection over the UTA bridge at Highland and 13th will be fully usable by the end of summer.

4- We certified the tax rate for the Traverse Ridge Special Service District for 2027. The rate is declining slightly for the coming year.

5- We amended city code as related to corner lots. Corner lots have been clarified as having access on 2 streets. A lot with only one access would be defined as an interior lot.

6- We denied a proposed text amendment regarding detached accessory dwelling units. This was a citizen submitted application, not initiated by staff. The proposal was to change code to allow for existing structures such as sheds and garages to be approved as D-ADUs, regardless of the current standards for setbacks. This applicant has an existing garage they would like to use as a D-ADU but it does not qualify under city code.

In this specific case, there is not a rear neighbor, and allowing for the garage to become a living space would likely be ok. However, we had concerns around changing code for the whole city to address one specific property. If this change were to be made, existing external buildings not originally intended to be living spaces could potentially automatically qualify to become rental units, with no notice or input from adjacent neighbors. It’s possible that some units could be very close to the property line, and to adjacent homes. We were concerned that the city wide impact had not been fully contemplated.

7- We denied a land use and zoning map amendment and a development agreement for a property located at 762W and 12300S, the current Kuwahara Nursery space. This project proposed 21 units on slightly under 2 acres and asked for deviations in setbacks, garage size, sidewalks, and allowed density. We did not feel the proposed land use change was the best use of the property or was in the best interests of Draper City, and the current use remains the best use.

8- We approved a tentative agreement with Ace Recycling and Disposal for residential solid waste and recycling. Draper has operated its own waste program for 16 years, but rising costs have caused the program to be in the red the past several years. The base rate of $15 for one trash bin and one recycling bin had not changed since the program began, but rising costs in staffing, trucks, gas, and dump fees etc have all increased significantly.

In order for the city to continue to operate the program and break even, we would need to raise base rates from $15 to $25.

With that knowledge, we wanted to see if there was a less expensive option in the private sector. We received 4 bids from private waste management entities, and Ace came back as both the lowest bidder and the highest rated provider. Ace is able to provide the base service for $19, significant savings over what we can offer.

We are incredibly appreciative of all the hard work and commitment our Draper City garbage and recycling crews have put in for our community. I’ve seen your videos of toddlers waving at the trucks and heard your stories of our crews going above and beyond. We are glad to say that they will have the opportunity to apply to continue their routes here with Ace, if they wish to do so. This is a big change and was a difficult decision, although clearly wise financially. As always, our priority is to offer you top quality services at fair and reasonable price points. At this time, outsourcing waste management is the best way to achieve that goal.

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Draper, UT

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