The chairman of the Salt Lake City Council won't have any say on whether the city approves Salt Lake City's proposed Grand Mall.

City Attorney Roger Cutler recently issued an opinion advising Carlton Christensen to recuse himself from any discussion or vote on the mall, citing the fact that his brother, Elliott Christensen, works for a company that owns the land on which it will stand."It is probable that a Utah court would deem your brother's substantial connection to this transaction as creating excessive psychological pressure for you," Cutler wrote. "As such, it would impair your objectivity to make a decision in the public's best interest."

Elliott Christensen works for Property Reserve, an arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Property Reserve owns the land at 5600 West and I-80 and has negotiated a purchase contract with mall developer Forrest City. Elliott Christensen participated in purchase negotiations, though he didn't make any decisions regarding the actual sale.

Mayor Rocky Anderson has taken umbrage at some of Christensen's activities pushing the mall (which would be in Christensen's council district), such as his participation in a legislative lobbying effort to create an I-80 interchange at the site.

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Anderson has expressed concern that the mall would siphon off business from downtown retailers. A contingent of the mayor, council members and staffers will visit a similar outlet mall in Dallas to help them judge whether they want one in Salt Lake City. Christensen will not be among them.

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