New Businesses Approved In P & Z Meeting

Randall Knight, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 1, 2013. The Planning and Zoning meeting was held as scheduled at 5:00 PM on the first Wednesday of the month.  The board members in attendance were: Lance Bourne (chair), Mike Schiess, Dallas Solom, Nate Gracey, Chuck Stockings and Jim Wood.  The following member was absent: Dwayne Gifford 

The first topic discussed was the Parking and Architectural Standards for Epic Recreation for a business to rent watercraft and off-road vehicles located at 201 N. Bear Lake Blvd.  The business will be located in the Berry Bowl building.  Lance stated he did not have any concerns with their business plan.  Lance pointed out that there is a parking ordinance requiring 1 in every 10 parking stalls to be for oversized vehicles but that shouldn’t be a problem at that location.  The other board members agreed.

The next topic discussed was the plan proposed by Epic Recreation for a business at 200 N. 160 W for the rental/repair of watercraft, UTV’s, etc.  This business will be located in one of the buildings West of Vic’s Hardware.  The board had no concerns with this proposal as well.  The Epic representative stated the business would be open year round and they will work with the Beaver Creek Lodge snowmobile rental during the winter months.

The next topic addressed oversized parking for restaurants.  Lance stated he thinks it would be an over burden to require the restaurants to have oversized parking.  The board agreed this requirement should be limited to only businesses with overnight parking because the impact to the traffic would be for a longer period of time.  Mike shared his concern with the city making concessions for the current businesses and new proposed businesses instead of trying to move the oversized parking locations and eventually new businesses off Hwy 89/30 and onto 300 W.  The Mayor pointed out the city has invested a lot of money and effort to provide more parking at 75 North hoping people will start parking there and walk to the shopping and eating establishments.  Dallas stated his concern with the state not working with the city to help rectify the parking problem along the highway before somebody is injured or killed while trying to cross the road; especially near the Bear Trapper, and City Park.  This sparked a long discussion on how the city has been trying to get the state to reduce the speed limit and work with the city on the parking issue along Hwy 89/30 during the busy season. The board decided to table the discussion to the August meeting.

The Mayor shared the discussion held during a Fire Board public meeting pertaining to short term rentals and inspections.  He recommended the P&Z board start working with the city to identify the various residential areas that favor short term rental and those that don’t, so authorized zones can be setup.  That way when a person applies for a short term rental business license the City Administrator’s will be able to determine if the requesting party lives in an authorized zone or not.  The board thought it was a great idea and asked for a list of the HOA’s and private owners who are interested in short term rental, so they can discuss the topic in more detail at the next meeting.  The Mayor pointed out that currently the city is obligated to issue a license to whoever requests one and then that party has to work within their HOA with any issues that arise.

Lance stated that Sunrise Resort has decided to put their business on hold at Harbor Village.

Mike shared a discussion he had with the city of Richfield in regard to their ATV jamboree and how they handle the OHV traffic.  He was told they use directional signs to help control the areas where the ATV’s can and cannot go.  The signs have proved to be great help in organizing the various rides offered and how to access the various trail heads from within the city.  He was asked to put together a plan and identify the number of signs that would be required to provide directional signs to the various authorized ATV trails accessible from the city.

Dallas pointed out there are parking spaces painted along a road in Snow Meadows that restricts the width of the road to emergency vehicles.  The Mayor said this had already been brought to his attention and the Fire Chief is going to measure the width of the by-pass to determine if the 21 foot requirement is met and notify the city of his findings.

Subway Sandwich was given approval by the Variance Committee to proceed with their effort to get a business license if a couple of minor things are rectified in the Texaco service station.  The Mayor stated he was pleased with the processes and the way the affected groups followed them.

Chuck pointed out that SB153 Local Government Amendments were changed and signed into law by the Governor last March.  So the city needs to review the changes to see how they will impact their current ordinances for new developers.