Report on Garden City Planning and Zoning Meeting

Randall Knight, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. August 7 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, Chuck Stockings and Dwayne Gifford.  The following members were absent: Dallas Solum, Nate Gracey and Jim Stone. 

The first topic discussed was the Oath of office for Susann House, a new Planning Commission member who was voted in to replace Mr. Solum.  Mike Schiess was nominated and elected as the Vice Chairman.

The board then discussed the status of building a city map overlay that would be used to determine if short term rental licenses could be given to the various applicants. Lance Bourne reported the city will not build the overlay and get involved with this issue.  The city does not want any liability for being involved with contradicting HOA guidelines. Bourne recommended an agenda item for next month to start discussions for neighborhoods to develop HOA’s within the city limits.  This would allow the new intercity HOA’s to regulate short term rentals in their neighborhood since there isn’t currently away to do that. 

Members of the board and the audience reported rental units are exceeding the number of parking spaces and bedrooms.  Bourne reminded them to call Andy Stokes, the ordinance officer, home owner, or property manager to report violations.  Bourne then recommended an agenda topic for next month to discuss the need for a public hearing by the homeowner prior to turning their dwelling into a rental property.  This would allow the neighbors to be informed of the rental unit and to get contact information where they could report violations.

The next item discussed was a recommendation to update the General Plan.  Danny White stated he has updated the plan in several areas but needs the input from the board as soon as possible.  He wants to present the updated version to the town council in a couple of months for approval.

Under miscellaneous topics, Mike Schiess asked which comes first; building permits from the city or from the HOA?  He was told the HOA is the responsible party to authorize the building permit before allowing the builder to approach the city.

Bourne reported there have been problems with Subway parking spaces being obstructed with trailers and debris behind the Bear’s Den.  He also feels the parking requirement for oversized vehicles be changed to regulate only overnight parking because the current version is causing problems for the business owners.