Proposed City Ordinances Affects Businesses

Joey Stocking

Bear Lake Chamber

Just for your information the Town of Garden City is working on two ordinance that could have an impact on your business.  The sign ordinance and an ordinance limiting the location of Short-Term Rentals (STR).

 

Garden City's Planning & Zoning generously asked the Chamber to help propose a new sign ordinance. We held a meeting follow our regular chamber meeting last week. I have taken the current sign ordinance and cut it down to 8 pages. It is still in a rough form, however, when finished  I hope it will be less restrictive, more clear, and give businesses the freedom to attract customers.  At the same time I hope it will help keep the city looking beautiful.  If you have anything that you specifically want to see or not see in the ordinance please let me know immediately.  You can read the current ordinance here under section 11c-600.  I will send the new draft as soon as it is cleaned up.

 

Garden City's Planning & Zoning (P&Z) proposed making a zoning map showing the locations that Short-Term Rentals (STR) would be allowed.  They proposed only allowing STRs in the following developments: Snowmeadows, Buttercup, Cherimoya, and Harbor Village.  Current STRs outside of these areas would be grandfathered in. There are many areas with Home Owner Associations (HOAs) that already do not allow STRs, however, this proposed zone would notably ban rentals in areas not currently in HOAs such as the beach front areas or those near the city center.  By significantly decreasing the amount of areas that allow STRs this will limit the amount of lodging options for potential visitors to Bear Lake and would be harmful on the future economy of the Bear Lake area.

 

Fewer visitors means fewer customers at businesses.  There are many points of view not considered here.  I only mention the economic impact on businesses.  I encourage you to become informed on this subject and then communicate your thoughts to the members of P&Z and town council. 

 

While this STR issue could negatively affect businesses, in general I appreciate the efforts of those on town council and P&Z.  The relationship between the city and businesses has been strained in the past but I look forward to working together to responsibly develop the economy of Bear Lake and make Bear Lake a wonderful place to play, work, and live.