Garden City Planning & Zoning

Randall Knight, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  January 3, 2018.  The Planning and Zoning meeting began at 5:00 PM and the board members present were: Lance Bourne (Chair), Susan House, Joey Stocking, Jim DeGroot, Zack McKee, and Jared Hislop.  Tom Stevens was replaced by Lindsey Thompson.  There were no public comments so the commission went right into the regularly scheduled meeting.

Board members Bourne, Hislop, and Lindsey Thompson were sworn in as Commission Members.  Bourne was nominated as the Chair and House the vice chair.

There was a long discussion on allowing a home owner or contractor to have temporary containers for 6 months that would be used for storage during construction or repairs in Ord 17-18.  The main concern was the possibility of containers being converted into a permanent structure as seen in various areas of the nation.  A recommendation was made to require a permit allowing the temporary use to provide a method to track and regulate their use.  Because of so many different options the proposal to change the wording in regard to accessory buildings was tabled.

The next item discussed was the wording for active and passive open areas defined in 11F-100.  It was pointed out that active areas are defined but passive areas isn’t.  Active areas include parks, play grounds, landscaping, etc.  It was suggested passive areas would be slopes, gullies, drainage areas, etc. It was discussed how parking areas and streets are not included as open space in one section, but in the PUD section it is negotiable. House found some good examples of how other groups have defined these areas.  Bourne said he would reword the definitions and present them for review and acceptance next month.

Matt Nielsen, developer,  presented a top level design for a new PUD in the open lot south of the car wash and storage sheds on 300 W.  The project would be on the vacant lot west of the current Season’s 5-plex on 100 W and north of the city storage area behind the Special Service Building and Fire Station.  The project would include approximately 56 town houses.

Mitch Poulsen, Bear Lake Regional Commission, provided a map showing the current and proposed trails connecting some city streets to the USFS and BLM trails.  This is in line with the city’s plans to expand tourism from just lake activities to ATV, biking, hiking, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing enthusiasts as well.

Mayor Mike Leonhardt, Garden City, thanked the board members for their service in such a difficult capacity for the planning and managing of city ordinances during this time of large growth.