Amalga Planning and Zoning Minutes
November 6, 2024
7:00 PM
6590 N 2400 W
Amalga, Utah
Visitors: Sid Munk, Mayor, Dave Wood, Daniel Jensen
Commission Members: Judy Downs, Acting Chair, Mike Diehl, April Hansen, Kelly Noble, Dave Lee, Secretary/Town Board
1. Minutes of October 2, 2024, have been reviewed by members. One correction was noted: Item 3, last line, The Commission 'is' happy
Motion to approve with correction-April Hansen
Second-Mike Diehl
2. Discussion with Sid Munk about a renovated dairy on the farm being used to house a farm worker and family.
Sid brought in maps with a possible re-alignment solution. The board did not like the proposed solution for several reasons. There were several questions about the other farm buildings and their proximity to the building in discussion. The board liked the re-alignment idea, however it just seems not to the work. The two pieces involved are not owned solely by Sid. There was another re-alignment idea that might work, but it involved this piece that is not owned clear and free. After much discussion it seems that the best answer to this situation might be a code amendment. It was suggested to look at 8.1, the Mobile Home section to see if that might could be amended to include renovated buildings used to house farm workers.
Motion to Table-April Hansen
Second-Judy Downs
Motion Carried
3. Ground work-Earlier in the year Amalga received a notice from the State that we needed to come into compliance with SB174 Local Land Use and Development Revisions 2023. We were notified that this would not cost the town any money. Several options were available to contract with a firm to take of this work. We chose Sunrise Engineering out of Ogden, Utah, because we work with Sunrise Engineering from Logan for all of town needs. This process has been nearly completed and Daniel Jensen, hired by the firm from Ogden agreed to come up and explain it to us.
The stated objective of SB174 was to help improve housing availability. One of the increased costs of housing was the cost of regulation for developers, and if they could streamline that process and make it easier . it would reduce the cost and improve housing affordability. This created a more cumbersome regulation for small towns. In 2024 they did a cleanup bill, HB476 where they again looked a subdivisions and the process of getting them passed.
Developers said the process takes too much time, and then the city at the last minute wants changes, which increases the cost. And the city says the developers make last minute changes that the city is not aware of. HB476 is designed to address both of these items. The legislature was also concerned with the mixture of a legislative process, and the administrative process.
As the developers have worked with cities, the city may want to add or remove items that were in, or not in the code.
The State says it is an administrative process, it should remain an administrative process, and they are going to force it to remain an administrative process.
The State says now that when someone comes in for a subdivision, the city needs to have an application, and a list of all of its requirements for subdivisions. They have to be able to provide developers with a checklist, or have it online so they can look at it and see what they have to do. The applicant has to comeback with every single item on the list covered. Every item, no matter how small, must be checked off. If not, the application is given back to the developer to have it corrected. No fee is collected, and no review is started.
Once the completed application is presented to the town, the clock is started. The town must review the application within 40 days. The whole review needs to be done within 40 days. The town has 40 days to comment on the application. Once the review is completed the town cannot go back and make changes, unless the changes are life and safety related. Any revisions to the application by the developer starts the clock and the fee over, and requires a new application process.
First review, you should get all the comments on it. Make sure the developer addresses every single review comment that the town gave them. If not, don't accept it until it is complete. Appeals are possible. The approval of the preliminary plan is the Planning Commission. The final approval goes to an individual or board, not the town board or the Planning board.
All engineering documents should be required at the beginning.
State Code 17-23-17 tells what is required on surveys. (Map of boundary survey -- Procedure for filing -- Contents -- Marking of monuments -- Record of corner changes -- Penalties.)
Annexation is a legislative decision. Subdivision code is not a layer of defense, annexation is. Town council can deny annexation, no reason given.
If someone wants a subdivision, and they follow our code, they cannot be denied.
Only approve an annexation if we want to move forward with the subdivision. Do not annex if you are not sure if you want the subdivision. Before you annex you hold ALL the cards.
Annexation agreement before annexing.
Do we want our General Plan updated?
There is a grant to have the General Plan updated with a TPA at 6.77% cost sharing. We have a contact with the AGO that can help us with this when needed.
Daniel will make final edits and a final draft for us.
He is happy to field questions. Send them to the secretary and he will forward them to Daniel.
4. Violation letters to be sent to Gladfelder, Sanders, McCune, and to the new owner of the Jorgenson property.
5. Motion to elect Judy Downs to Chairman of Amalga P&Z, and Mike Diehl as Co-Chair-Kelly Noble
Second-April Hansen
Motion Carried
These appointments were made with the understanding that Judy Downs will serve for one year, and then Mike Diehl will become the Chair.
Motion to Adjourn-Judy Downs
Second-Mike Diehl
Motion Carried
Meeting Adjourned at 9:25 PM
*MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED*
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Dave Lee@435-881-0552.