City of Ivins

The work meeting included the initial process for filling a mid-term vacancy on the City Council, which involved interviewing three candidates: Lance Anderson, Wayne Pennington, and Shad Johnsen. The interviews included opening statements, structured questions from the Mayor and Council, and closing statements. The official vote to fill the vacancy was scheduled for the subsequent regular meeting on January 15, 2026. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion that carried unanimously.

The meeting commenced with acknowledgements of quorum, flag salute, and invocation, along with disclosures of conflicts of interest regarding applications. Key discussions included presenting the Angel Award to Tanya Wambold, receiving updates on the 2026 Washington County Fair, and a presentation on proper battery disposal. A significant action was the appointment of Wayne Pennington to fill a Mid-Term Vacancy on the City Council following an interview and secret ballot process, followed by his swearing-in. Department reports were received from Building & Zoning, Public Works & Engineering, and Finance. The Council held a public hearing and subsequently approved an ordinance removing Arundo Donax (bamboo) as an allowed screen for personal property storage. The Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Preparation calendar was approved, and preliminary discussion was held regarding the adoption of the 2006 Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The Council also approved an ordinance adjusting purchasing policy limits for improvements and services, and another ordinance requiring bike racks in new commercial developments. Council Member Sharon Gillespie was nominated and elected as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026. The City Attorney provided training on Open Meetings and conflict disclosure. The Council approved the minutes from the December 18, 2025 meeting via the consent agenda.

The meeting commenced with departmental reports from Building & Zoning, Public Works & Engineering, and Finance. Key actions included the unanimous approval of Resolution 2025-25R, honoring Tiffany Wynn with the Mayor's Award for Community Service. The Council held public hearings and subsequently approved the renaming of a street segment to Chris Hart Drive and the adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-25, which amends the Parks and Trails Impact Fee Facilities Plan and Analysis. Additionally, Ordinance No. 2025-26 was approved to regulate lighting for sports facilities, with specific amendments concerning pole height and definitions. The Council also approved the expenditure for the 400 East Storm Drain Replacement project for 2026, authorized the surplus of clean dirt fill from Red Mountain Dams, and approved the 2025 Consolidated Fee Schedule with minor amendments. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussion and conditional approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Development Agreement for the Mojave Village Development, focusing heavily on short-term rental regulations, occupancy limits, and enforcement mechanisms. Approval was also granted for the installation of a section 5 fence at the Ivins City Cemetery.

The meeting included farewell remarks from Mayor Chris Hart, who expressed gratitude for his sixteen years of service and indicated that the Commission would receive more supporting material in the coming year to assist with upcoming planning challenges, especially regarding the State's directives. Key actions involved a public hearing and subsequent approval for a Proposed Class V Conditional Use Permit Application for an Enbridge Energy Gas Regulator Station, which is intended to service Ivins and surrounding areas, with assurances regarding aesthetics and minimal impact. The Commission also held a public hearing and recommended approval for an amendment to the noxious weed ordinance, addressing terminology related to weed removal and enforcement timelines. Furthermore, the Commission discussed and approved the Mojave Village Preliminary Plan and a proposed Class V Conditional Use Permit Application for the same project, with discussions centering on unit density, parking provisions (including RV spaces), and the contribution of park impact fees toward an adjacent public park versus on-site amenities. Finally, the agenda included reviewing the minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting and planning future work related to PUD-R zoning and addressing SITLA developments.

The Ivins City Council Work Meeting involved a discussion regarding potential changes to Ivins Land Use and Development Ordinances, motivated by the Governor's Housing mission to tackle the state's housing shortage. The City Council discussed creating an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone, High Density Residential Land Use, Planned Development Overlay District, Lot Size Averaging, review all Multifamily zones, Resort Mixed Use, Resort Commercial, eliminate Commercial Neighborhood Land Use and Commercial Neighborhood Zone, Add Buffer Requirements, Perimeter Walls, Revisit Home Occupation Standards, Review and Clarify Enforcement of Real Estate Sign Code, Short-Term Rental Code Gaps, Civil Penalties for Violating City Code. The Mayor and City Council prioritized High Density Land Use zone, Buffering and Community.