General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

Planning Commission

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Planning Commission Minutes 3.20.2025

Notice Tags

Administrative Procedure

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

March 20, 2025 07:00 PM

Description/Agenda

Planning Commission Minutes March 20, 2025 Planning Commission Present: Linda Simmons Tyler Nielson Regan Richmond Will McFarland Paul Murdock (absent) Community Development: City Manager: City Council Representative: Ben Muhlestein Kellen Nielson Minutes: Nicole Holliday Linda welcomed everyone to the meeting. She asked if anyone had questions or changes for the February minutes. Tyler made a motion to approve the minutes. Will seconded the motion, it passed unanimously. There was an opportunity for public input. There was no one from the public to make comments. The commission and staff talked about the city council meeting that multiple of Moses' neighbors showed up to express concern for their request for a zone change. They talked about how our city ordinance concerning what is allowed in certain zones has some flaws. They understand that Chad doesn't have specific plans for the property but that he just wants more flexibility in options. Regan asked on what grounds did the council table the issue as the Moseses met all requirements. Kellen stated that the city council isn't fully opposed to it, but they do want more clarification on what exactly is allowed as far as apartments and businesses, as well as dividing it into lots and selling them off. Ben explained that he will be taking over community development as Bret has retired. He is excited and has learned a lot and has a lot to learn. He stated that we voted on the company, Bike Utah, to do the downtown plan study. He has met with them a few times and a contract has been signed. They have been collecting data and doing some work. They are planning on doing a public engagement meeting on April 29th. Ben is excited to work with them over the next six months or so. The commission discussed deep lot subdivisions. There are several lots along 100 East that this idea would pertain to. Ben said that he has talked to a few different people to get their opinions on these lots. Chief Bradford said that it would be fine as far as a law enforcement perspective goes. Regan wanted to clarify that we are talking about the R2 zone as a whole and not just these lots on 100 East. A large portion of Blanding is zoned R2. They talked about the recent zone change of the Meyer property. They talked about development that is going in on 400 South. It is Travis Shumway and Dan Hurst's project. It is on one lot with multiple living units. Town home type units. They discussed what kind of an access road it will have to have. Ben said that he talked to Patrick and he stated that utilities on the deep lot subdivisions won't be an issue but storm water could be. It is something that has to be thought of and accounted for. Tyler stated that commercial zones are required to be responsible for their storm water retention and drainage. Ben also talked to Chief Spillman and he said that his concern is access to houses and having enough room to turn trucks around. He does want to look at this in more detail. Tyler said that they have worked on some lots similar to this in Moab and their fire chief said that they require quite a large space to turn around. The commission understands that there are a lot of factors to think about and work out, and they also want to make it more affordable, reasonable and feasible to get a lot and build a house. They also want to help current property owners to be able to better use their land. The next step is to dive into current ordinances and see what changes need to be made to allow for these deep lot subdivisions. They want to get public input as well as developers and builders input and ideas and opinions. The commission discussed some of the set back requirements and how some of those would need to be adjusted to allow for these sizes of lots. Regan stated that people can build as big a house as they want but right now our restrictions don't allow them to build as small as they want and that's a problem. They are interested in talking to other people in a rural community who have worked on similar projects and worked through similar questions and issues. Regan said that he is meeting with the Grantsville planner and he said he will ask some questions. Ben stated that part of our grant for our downtown plan supports training for the planning commission. Ben is working on getting everyone set up with a login to a training portal. It will give them access to all sorts of trainings. Ben also stated that we have money to send them to the Utah Planning Association conference in May. Ben will send them more information on it so they can look at the agenda and the details of the conference. Ben wants to know if the commission has anything specific that they want to work on or discuss in the future or specific goals that they have. Linda stated that the biggest thing is to get the R2 thing accomplished and making sense of it and making it happen. Will stated that he would like to optimize peoples ability to build what they want and give more options and then making those options easily known and easily accessible. Regan would like to simplify the process for the residents while also protecting the integrity of the long term plan. There is a balance between those things. Regan made a motion to adjourn. Tyler seconded it. The meeting adjourned.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the ADA, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting may call the City Offices at (435) 678-2791 at least twenty-four hours in advance. Every effort will be made to provide the appropriate services.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

One or more commission members may participate electronically.

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

50 W 100 S
Blanding, UT 84511
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Contact Name

Ben Muhlestein

Contact Email

bmuhlestein@blanding-ut.gov

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

April 11, 2025 11:30 AM

Notice Last Edited On

April 11, 2025 11:30 AM

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