Town of Virgin

The meeting involved detailed discussions regarding proposed revisions to planning documents, focusing heavily on the vision statement and introduction sections. Key topics included clarifying language related to environmental impact minimization during development, such as ensuring adequate infrastructure, preserving drainage, and considering the newly passed dark sky ordinance. Discussions also addressed definitions for environmental elements like 'viewshed' versus 'viewscape,' the incorporation of conservation goals, and specific zoning elements related to commercial areas and maintaining footpath access to the river. Furthermore, there was a review of existing conditions compared to proposed goals concerning environmental integrity and historical building preservation within the area.

The Planning and Zoning meeting included general business such as declarations of conflict of interest and approval of the draft minutes from the January 11, 2023 meeting. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public hearing regarding an ordinance amending and restating various code provisions (Chapters 2.20, 2.22, 16.20, and 16.22) to regulate enforcement and separate code enforcement from the zoning administrator role into a distinct category. Members provided extensive comments on the proposed ordinance, focusing on the need for clear structural language regarding chain of command, adequate public input, and the potential impact of creating a new code enforcement position versus assigning those duties to the existing zoning administrator. The board ultimately made a recommendation on the ordinance.

The meeting focused on reviewing proposed ordinance updates and addressing public comments from a prior hearing. Key items included postponing discussion on the alternate to family dwelling ordinance pending the author's presence. The commission discussed updates to rural code title 16 chapter 8, clarifying zoning language related to overlays, buffer zones, and the use of before-and-after sections in amended ordinances. There was extensive discussion on permitted and prohibited uses, with clarification that unlisted language is preferred based on town planner recommendations. The live work ordinance revisions addressed height limitations by setting a maximum height rather than restricting the number of stories. Discussions also covered conditional uses and the necessity of Certificate of Appropriateness (CUP) permits versus deed restrictions. For Chapter 8, updates included language on building height exceptions and water connections. A significant portion of the work meeting involved detailed responses to comments regarding septic systems, cumulative saturation, and the impact of two-family dwellings versus single-family dwellings, emphasizing the goal of equal impact treatment. A subsequent agenda item reviewed chapter 8, which involved changes based on consultant input, including modifications to single-story restrictions and height limits.

The work meeting primarily focused on discussing proposed ordinance revisions related to zoning, specifically concerning land being considered for sale by the BLM that fronts Co-op Terrace Road. Key discussions revolved around establishing where the eligibility for Highway Resort Zone (HRZ) should terminate along Co-op Terrace Road, with different proposals suggesting the intersection of Pocketville Road and Co-op Terrace Road, or a line further south near the trash site or SR9. The Council considered the impact of potential HRZ designation on property values and the development concept for the area, including concerns about pushing traffic and maintaining a Rural Residential neighborhood concept near existing residences. There was also discussion about notifying the BLM about any ordinance changes affecting their property.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a review for declarations of conflict of interest. Key discussion points focused extensively on Ordinance 2024 amendments to the Uniform Land Use Ordinances, specifically addressing a live-work category for commercial use to allow employee housing units. Further discussions involved Ordinance 2024 regarding Planning Commission chair pro tem and rules of procedure, and Ordinance 2024 clarifying that the Development Review Committee (DRC) is a public body subject to open meeting laws. The body also reviewed a zone change request for property located at 1130 East SR9 from Rural Residential to Highway Resort Zone. Extensive clarification was sought on various sections of the subdivision ordinance, including administrative land use authority for final plat approval, documentation of completeness for applications, handling of geological hazard areas (including FEMA floodways) concerning review timelines, compliance with municipal ordinances, expiration periods for applications, and the definition of water conveyance facilities versus natural washes and storm drainage. Finally, the implications of open space definitions regarding nonprofit conservation organizations and parking accessibility were discussed.