You will need a geologist to do a soils test, a surveyor (depending your city you might be able to do a basic topography survey with boundaries or might have to do an ALTA survey) and maybe a civil engineer to do the grading/erosion control plans.

we have always had foundation issues here do to unstable soil so this  is not really anything new in my opinion. 

There are a whole host of factors that go into the determination of whether a particular piece of land is good to build on, including existing zoning and land use designation in any master plan, restrictive covenants of record, potential for rezoning and use, access (including curb-cut), slope, soils, drainage, flood risk, historical use (pristine or a dump or former manufacturing site), and availability of services (water, sewer, power, telephone, cable, internet, garbage, etc.)   

Public hearing soon, then use permit, then hire/pay more consultants (soils, structural, etc), then apply for building permit.  

They have been incredibly helpful and communicative, have even helped me with bids for topo and soil studies. the owner and his wife came out personally to my lot as part of the feasibility study and this was only $500 which is credited if I go with them.

The soil is very sandy and there is no automatic sprinkler system. 

You don't want a clay type soil that holds moisture, you want a sandy / gravely easy draining soil. 

We have been working with a civil engineering firm to prepare the soils reports, assess zoning, etc, etc and a RE attorney.

I did recently trade a laundromat I owned in West Jordan for a house in East Sandy and it worked out pretty good.

I'm in Sandy and manage a $10m fund.