Fence heights and a yurt area for children with handicaps

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 5, 2019.  How high is too high for a fence?  There was a brief discussion to get public input concerning fence height between commercial and residential buildings.  Currently, the ordinance allows for a six-foot fence.  The Commission thought that perhaps the City should allow a fence between a home and commercial building to go as high as eight feet.  Ordinance #19-17 will require an 8’ fence between commercial and residential homes unless the residential homeowner would prefer a 6’ fence.  The motion was made and passed on this item.

Ordinance #19-18 was approved as written

A Conditional Use Permit Application to allow for a dude ranch west of Buttercup Estates has been requested by John and Melissa Spuhler.  They recently purchased this ten-acre piece of property from the City and want to build on this property.  The project is unique.  The Spuhlers plan to build a high-end group of five yurt lodges surrounded by natural beauty.  There will be a one-fourth acre of raspberries and other fruit trees.  There will also be an area for small animals such as ducks, rabbits, a donkey, a small pony, and so forth.  This dude ranch will be built especially for children with handicaps. 

The two zones included in these ten acres is called Hillside Estates and Recreational Estates/Agricultural.  These two zones suit the project perfectly.  Bryce Huefner owns a triangular piece of property, lot 23, in Buttercup Estates.  He will be given an easement from Spuhler allowing him access to his property.  A 24’ wide road will allow ingress/egress to both Huefner and Spuhler.

The Yurts will be 150 feet above any homes in Buttercup.  The yurts are 40’ in size and 18’ high.  There are 11 sliding windows in each yurt and three rooms for sleeping.  Each yurt can handle 16 people.  Originally, only three yurts will be built.  As demands increase, two additional yurts will be added in a cluster arrangement.  The yurts are fully insulated.  There is also a bathroom, electricity, and running water.  The yurts have a life of about 15 years and will be built on foundations. Each yurt costs approximately $15,000 each.   One yurt will be ADA compliant.  The others with be for ADHD individuals.

The yurts will follow the City’s ordinance on setbacks and will make sure they have enough parking.  There will be 20 parking spots (9’ x 28’) next to the yurts and another 10 more parking spots above the yurts at the top area.  Eventually, there will also be a small home built on this property.

There is an old water tank on the property.  This tank needs to be either removed or taken care of so that no one will be hurt by this tank.

The Final for Phase 1 of Waterdance, a Planned Unit Development located approximately 185 South 100 West owned by Noman Mecham, was discussed.  There will be adequate parking for phase 1 because he will be putting a swale off Phase 1 to take care of any excess water.  There will be a dumpster on the south off Phase 1.  The motion was made and approved to accept the Final Phase 1 Plan of Waterdance.

A brief discussion dealing with the yurt development was held.  Water is important.  Water pressure in case of fire on the dry sidehill was a concern.  Also, drainage off the hillside down toward Buttercup needs to be addressed.  It was noted that the water pressure meets all current requirements.   Spuhler told the Commission that the natural foliage and ground will be left as it is right now.  It was suggested that perhaps a berm near the bottom of the property be built to make sure water does not get down on any homes in Buttercup. The suggestion was also made that a 10’ strip of asphalt or concrete be placed at the bottom of the gravel road going up to the yurts be built.  It would give better stopping for those coming back down onto the roads in Buttercup. 

The motion was made and passed that the cluster development be approved with the request that Spuhler take care of the suggested drainage idea, that the parking be for 30 cars, that there will be three trash dumpsters purchased and used by this development, that a fence be put up around the old water tank currently on the property, and that a 10-foot area coming off Buttercup going up to this development be made with either concrete or asphalt.

The Planning Commission members began to work on their bylaws.  The Mayor suggested that instead of working to make better bylaws, that any information needed by the Commission be written into an ordinance instead of trying to maintain bylaws. The Mayor felt this would be more efficient and effective.  He suggested the Commission put this item on the agenda for next month.

The meeting next month will be held the second Wednesday since the first Wednesday is so close to the 4^th of July.  Thus, the Planning Commission Meeting will be held on July 10 at the usual 5 p.m. time.