Garden City Planning and Zoning

Randall Knight & Anita Weston, Reporters

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 5, 2014. A public hearing was held to allow the public an opportunity to have questions concerning Water’s Edge answered by the developer, Norm Mecham.  It was noted that all proposed structures meet City ordinance requirements.  The footprint is larger with the new design than with the original one with a higher roof line presented at prior meetings. 

The opportunity for the public to ask questions about the proposed trails and parks plan was also made available to the public.  

The Planning and Zoning meeting was held as scheduled at 5:00 PM.  The board members in attendance were: Lance Bourne, Jim Stone, Mike Schiess, Susan House, Pat Argyle and Dewayne Gifford. Nate Gracey was absent. 

Dewayne Gifford was sworn in as a  new board member.  

Norm Mecham reviewed the new Waters Edge design submitted two weeks before the meeting date. Several questions were asked and answered and the main discussion focused on the number and locations of handicap parking and access to the hotel.  An agreement was made on the specific location of where the building height would change from 35 ft to 25 ft high.   A proposal was made to accept the plans as presented with the understanding they are conceptual and will be updated as the plan matures.  The conceptual plan was approved. 

The Parks and Trails Master Plan was discussed. P&Z member, Mike Schiess, requested the document include a list of goals and objectives for future citizens to understand what was intended when the document was written.  Gary Cox, the new city administrator, had not had time to become familiar with the plan.  Schiess also requested a method to monitor and repair the trails that are damaged by erosion.  Because the city plans are encouraging people to come to Garden City to enjoy the bike path and number of trails available from town and the local area, he thought a comment should be added about the bike path eventually going around the lake.  A question was asked on how much money the City spends on the bike path.  Riley Argyle reported the city spends about $60,000 per year to maintain the bike path.  A question was asked about what the RV/OHV restrictions are for highway 89/30.  That matter needs to be investigated.

Ted Wilson, the owner of the access road/trails to Hodges and Richardson canyon, recommend the trails be closed in the spring to prevent excess erosion by four wheelers.  He said the public is abusing the access by destroying his signs, fences, and having open fires.  Mr. Wilson stated in some places the trail is within 45 ft of the spring which provides culinary water to him and the city so a new access needs to be provided. This would especially be needed if the city starts to promote these canyons as off-road trails to Logan canyon summit. He also opposes the city spending city tax dollars on projects outside the city limits.

Darin Pugmire asked the board to review the parking ordinance requirement and specifically the 10 parking spaces for a 10,000 sq ft building and 1 additional parking stall for every 200 sq ft above the 10,000.  He said with an average of 3.5 people per car, his parking requirement would be for 35 people even though his business cannot handle that many, so the requirement does not make sense.  He thinks the city should take a more active roll in creating additional parking areas to reduce the parking on Hwy 89/30.  He submitted a list of 4 areas that needs the parking requirement reviewed.  The board also agreed there needs to be clarification added to include employee parking spaces. 

Pugmire also asked the board to review the new setback requirement from Hwy 89/30 and the side setback of  6 ft versus the old requirement of 4 ft.  Pat Argyle stated that because Pugmire is a City Council member the policies and procedures need to be followed.  Therefore, the board agreed he needed to go before the Variance Committee to resolve his concerns.

Riley Argyle, City Public Works,  updated the board on the bonding ordinance requirement based on what the City’s attorney told him.  The attorney said ANY improvements and not just infrastructure improvements need to be bonded.  Bonds are required for the total project and not just the various phases.  Pugmire said he called eight cities to see what they do.  They reported that bonds are required for phases and not the total project.  He said Heber requires cash only bonds and the performance bond money goes to the city if the development isn’t completed.  Lance Bourn, Chair of the Planning & Zoning, said a public hearings and town council meetings need to address this new requirement.

Under miscellaneous discussions, Argyle said the current ordinance does not allow rodeos, only livestock auctions.  He introduced two owners of a livestock company that is proposing to bring a rodeo to the city.  Their plan is to hold more than one rodeo during the summer months.  This would require an arena to be built and the proposed area would be north of the city office buildings.

The Planning and Zoning Committee decided they needed to hold a work meeting to update and work on City Ordinances.  They want to look at zoning areas of taller buildings, bonding, parking, and so forth.

Bourne noted that there are several areas in town where cleanup is needed.  He mentioned that the area around the Chevron Station is not very welcoming to people driving into the town.  He noted that the individuals involved have been contacted and asked to tidy up that area.

It was suggested that everyone google Prince of Wales Hotel to see what can be done when views of the area are preserved.  Garden City is probably late in doing such a thing, but hopefully, some views can be opened up or obtained.

It was noted that Harbor Village Light House is 75’ high and doesn’t appear to be extremely tall.  This might be included in the height discussion ordinance.