Garden City Planning Commission Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. December 4, 2019. Norm Mecham requested that the Planning Commission look at his Phase 2 of Waterdance. He showed the plans for his next building phase which will be on the south half of the property.  In this phase he would like to build eight small town homes and 9 tri-plex condos.  There will be a turnaround on the road on the outside of phase 2.  That makes it easier for working as well as for people as they buy the units.  He has met the requirement for parking, for green space, setbacks etc.

The Commission made the motion and passed it to approve phase 2 as a preliminary plan.

There was a discussion of phase 2 of the preliminary plan for Long Ridge Subdivision. Jeff Jorgensen, engineer, explained the concept plan and gave copies of the plan to the various commission members.  He noted that there were some issues about a power pole in the subdivision that has been deeded to Garden City.  It was also noted that there already is a utility easement going through the Subdivision.

There were some changes made to several of the lots and information about some of the roads that will be part of the subdivision were discussed.  It was suggested that Homestead Road which will be 80’ wide should be roughed in on the map. It will not be asphalt until Phrase 3 is built.

It was suggested that areas will need to be determined where sanitation dumpsters will be placed or if black cans would be more appropriate. 

It was noted that they might add a small residential cluster development with about a half a dozen cabins.  There is no lake view on that property, but it is close to the trail head area which might appeal to some people.  They will start closing on lots in the spring. 

The motion was made to give approval for the preliminary phase 2  with the contingency that The City Engineer’s list of suggestions be followed and that Paradise Parkway in the lower section be 80’ wide.  The Commission told Mr. Jorgensen that he can now take the information to the City Council for their approval as well.

Mark Smoot reported on having food trucks during the summer.  He said there were three problems with food trucks.  Last summer, they came too late.  The second problem was there were no places where those individuals running the food trucks could live or stay.   Commissary issues were very challenging.  Where were they to get the needed groceries in a short time at a commercial rate. 

There are still a couple of trucks or containers that haven’t been moved.  He noted that they were supposed to be off the property shortly after summer crowds were gone. 

 Smoot noted that he would manage the area.  He added lights, music, and fire pit, and planted some grass.  He also brought in tables and shelters where people could sit down to eat.

The truck owners already had transient license from their hometown, but still had to register to get a transient business license in Garden City.  That license was overpriced so that the truck owners lost money.

Smoot reported that he is starting to set up schedules now for next summer.  Last year, they just didn’t get any traction, and no one made any money.  Mr. Smoot thought if the truck owners were work with local as well as Montpelier that they could perhaps be able to get the needed food items in a timely manner.

He also recommended that the trucks be open all week long, not just on the weekends.  He also thought that some of the food trucks could cooperate and work with Conestoga to see how they were getting meals for campers etc.  There need to be more than just two or three, and they should be lined up in a different fashion.  They also need to have more than a toasted cheese sandwich for their menu.  Mr. Smoot also thought that people do stay for six or seven days a week and there needs to be more places for campers and camping.

Smoot thinks it is worth trying for another summer.  He thinks the food trucks should be into Garden City at least by Father’s Day and plan to stay until the middle or end of August.  They should get their permits and paperwork done before they open and make sure they know about sales tax and a transient license. 

Smoot has made an ice-skating pond where the food trucks were.  He has the lights in place, lots of ice skates that can be rented from the Epic building, which is just across the road on the north.  There will be lots of music and fun.  Hopefully, the locals will take advantage of this skating rink and have a fun winter.

It was suggested last meeting that the Planning Commission write up a campground/RV Ordinance.  The talked about how many acres should be in such an area. They determined that perhaps four to acres would be appropriate.  They also decided that utilities such as water, sewer connection or a dump site, as well as electricity needed to be available.  Susan House was asked to write up the ordinance and present it at the next meeting.