A developer requested zone changes for several lots from R-1-20 to R-1-12. In other words, from a 20,000 square foot lot to a 12,000 square foot lot. While the item was tabled, it seemed that most of the council was sympathetic to this change.

Honestly, Attorney Snow should have probably been given an ultimatum long ago. Firelight or Toquerville, but not both…All of this was evident to me as the grading ordinance came into focus. There is a reason we ask attorneys for potential conflicts of interest- but that process is useless if city fathers choose to ignore declared conflicts or attempt some half-measure solution. Work for us, work for them, but not both. Fish or cut bait.

I must admit that my knowledge of water issues boils down to two things. We apparently have unlimited water supplies when it comes to new development. When it comes to our existing Toquerville homes, you’d think water was as rare as hen’s teeth

The Planning Commission reconsiders the $1,000 fee to break an acre lot into two half-acre lots. “Property rights” were invoked as a defense for zone changes. Yet, where does the Constitution convey powers to a city to zone property and become the arbiter of WHICH property owner will have WHICH property rights?

Hiring a city attorney is a big deal. City attorneys often act as “defacto” councils when offering advice which is heavily relied on by city staff, council members, and the Mayor. City attorneys are also very expensive.

“The Program” Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping is a three part, mini-series currently trending at the top position on Netflix

Questions flew about why the Firelight water infrastructure is only now coming up for discussion, why Firelight and the city have not already confirmed their water needs can be met, and why they have not already obtained their water rights. Developers are required to acquire water rights before the city signs a contract with them, but that was not the policy when the deal for the Firelight Development was signed in 2008.

Lori Cole covered the Feb 7 meeting (and provided the local post office photo). While the bulk of the meeting was spent discussing the General Plan, other important things were covered. She observed, “Most of us can agree that what Salt Lake City wants is not necessarily what citizens of rural Southern Utah want...”

Stefani Williams reports on the Utah State Flag Initiative. Volunteers, including many Toquerville residents, are scrambling to collect 5,000 more signatures in Washington County by February 15 for the initiative. This would give voters the chance to decide which flag will represent Utah.

At the January 17, 2024 City Council meeting it was announced that the city attorney, Heath Snow, has formally resigned after more than 16 years. A nightly rental was approved despite some unhappy residents. The council passed a restatement of the city’s code relative to General Plan policies and a future land use map.

At this first meeting of 2024, among other things, new planning commissioners were installed and the LDS Church will continue to be responsible for the July 24 Pioneer Day activities. Also, a temporary code enforcement officer is following up on complaints.

The public forum is back at every meeting, there’s a new city logo, and after 26 years of serving the city, Ty Bringhurst is stepping down.

Among other things, this meeting considered the appointment of two Planning Commissioners (4-yr terms), one Interim Commissioner (1-yr term), and two alternate Commissioners for 2024. After some recommendations and negotiation with the mayor, the choices were made and approved.

I’m not sure why the city has any fee for raising chickens. We don’t have a disabled chicken fund or an epidemic of chickens wandering the streets. Rather I think, these types of ordinances are plucked from other Utah cities and unceremoniously become law here. No process is really employed, input is not solicited.

Lori Cole reports on the Nov 1 meeting that included discussion on the new ER in Hurricane, possible future state mandates that would not please most Toquerville residents, completing the city code, updating the uniform fee schedule, etc.

The city recently removed the public forum from every other City Council meeting. I’m using this Sentinel forum to ask that the City Council reinstate the public forum for each council meeting.

If you’re a city, there are grants for everything! Grants were mentioned in almost every item covered. As residents, we’re happy to not pay, but cities like ours are certainly beholden to higher government powers.

There were a few interesting items that came up during this council meeting: code enforcement, salary increases, and the Shangrila zone change request.

As a follow-up to part 1 in this multi-part series on water, Selling Off Our Future for Short-Term Gain, this article focuses on recent progress on the county and state front.

As I perused the agenda, I noticed the time slot for public concerns had gone missing. After the meeting I was told that the City was only going to offer open time every other meeting. If true, this would mean a citizen might have to wait nearly a month to speak about something. Though it can be time consuming, public access is more important than saving a few minutes.