General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

Planning Commission

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Planning Commission April Minutes 2025

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

April 10, 2025 07:00 PM

Description/Agenda

Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2025 Planning Commission Present: Linda Simmons Tyler Nielson (absent) Regan Richmond Will McFarland Paul Murdock Community Development: City Manager: City Council Representative: Ben Muhlestein Kellen Nielson Minutes: Nicole Holliday CALL TO ORDER & APPROVAL: Linda welcomed everyone to the meeting. She asked if anyone had questions or changes for the March minutes. Paul made a motion to approve the minutes. Will seconded the motion, it passed unanimously. PUBLIC INPUT: Todd Thorne joined the meeting virtually. He is the regional planner for the Southeastern regional development agency. He is available as a resource to help in any way. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPORT: Kellen stated that the Moses rezone was tabled again. There was a lot of discussion about it. There was talk about creating an R1A zone. Also, discussion about possibly changing the R1 zone. There was also talk about making changes for the major subdivision to make those easier for people to build and develop. DOWNTOWN PLAN UPDATE & TRAINING: Ben stated that Bike Utah is going to come for a public input meeting on May 15th. They will be here for most of that week to get a feel of downtown. They will also send out a survey to gather info and input. Ben also mentioned that he is trying to get some resources for the commission. He gave them all a copy of Ground Rules: Handbook on Land Use Regulation. He talked about the training that he is working on getting access to online. The training in Logan would be covered by the city. It's May 7-9. They can go any amount of time. The planning commission meeting for May is scheduled for the 22nd. MINOR SUBDIVISION APPLICATION: The Meyers put in an application for a minor subdivision. The commission discussed the lots and the existing houses and the boundary lines. There aren't any improvements that will have to be made to this subdivision, such as roads, curb and gutter. It's pretty straight forward. Ben stated that the minor subdivision application process requires an 'approved land use application.' He couldn't find one of those, so he had them put it in a letter. They talked about the loans that are on the entire property. Todd's suggestion to wait to approve the subdivision until they get a clearance from their mortgage. Which the Meyers are working on. Regan stated that he doesn't see that it is the commission's responsibility or scope to be the lender, title company or property owners legal team. If they meet all the city's requirements then that is all the commission is concerned with. Todd stated that if it's encumbered then there is the possibility that it can't be subdivided, if it's owned clear and free, then it can be subdivided, that is the reason for the title report requirement. Kellen stated that approving a zone change is a legislative action and approving a subdivision is an administrative action. Paul made a motion to approve the Joshua Meyer subdivision application, pending all required documentation. Regan seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. POTENTIAL CHANGE FOR 1-2 SPLIT SUBDIVISIONS: Ben stated that he talked to Todd about this. There is a policy that essentially makes city staff the land use authority when a property owner wants to divide their land once or twice. The minor subdivision process is quite hefty, and this would help speed up that process. There are still requirements that will have to be met. Regan wondered about checks and balances if it is a one person approval type thing. Paul wondered if it could be a dual approval, where two staff have to approve it. Todd stated that for their policy, he reviews it and signs off on it as well as the legal team and the surveyor. The commission agrees that the process should be simplified and easier. Ben stated that he will put something together and bring it back to the next meeting. POSSIBLE R1A ZONE DISCUSSION: Ben stated that the council discussed the potential of having something between the R1 and R2 zone, hence the R1A zone. The concern came from Moses' zone change request. If his property was changed to R2, there is the option of putting in apartments and his neighbors are concerned about that. Kellen stated that there is also the possibility of looking at R1 and maybe changing the requirements there as well as lessening the requirements for major subdivisions. That's the problem for the Moseses, they can't divide it up in the R1 zone and make it worth it with all the improvements that would have to be added. Access is an issue to that land too. Chad doesn't have a specific plan for his property, he just wants more potential for the land. It was stated that R2 is a catch all and a lot is allowed in R2 and it's not specific on some things that are allowed, which is a concern for residents and neighbors. Todd suggested that if you do remove businesses out of R2, be sure to put them in a commercial zone, so that they do have somewhere to go. Ben brought up the option of an over-lay zone. The commission talked about making decisions on this issue in a timely manner. The commission has talked about revising and making changes to R2 for months now and maybe refining the R2 will placate council on the issue that they have. The commission briefly discussed ADUs and what our zones allow and what is in state code. As well as IADUs. DEEP LOT DISCUSSION: Ben stated that he talked to Chief Spillman about the deep lots and his main concern was having fire hydrants within a certain distance of each lot. Ben stated that they will look into what the requirements are as far as state code goes. Todd talked about his experience with fire chiefs and what he knows about fire hydrants and the requirements. They talked about having a turn around space for the large fire trucks as well as EMS ambulances, but ambulances are significantly smaller than fire trucks. R2 ZONE UPDATE REVIEW: The commission talked about some of the changes that they have previously discussed on the R2 zone. They have all been emailed the R2 zone document and they can and have made edits and added questions on certain things. They went over some of the size changes as far as the lot, set backs, house size, lot coverage, etc goes. They talked about how they want to define private drives. They want to make it clear that a private drive doesn't have to be a big paved road. They talked about the shared maintenance of the private drives and questioned who would enforce those maintenance rules. It was mentioned that it is getting into HOA territory. They talked about the size of accessory buildings. And why and how some things are allowed and some things aren't. Ben asked if we want to split R2 into two different zones, but then the question is where do we draw the line between the two. The commission agreed to take a good look at the R2 and really dig in and decide what they want it to look like. They all agree that it needs to be done in a timely manner. They have agreed to meet for work meetings if needed. Paul made a motion to adjourn. Will 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

May 28, 2025 01:42 PM

Notice Last Edited On

May 28, 2025 01:42 PM

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