council Report
by lynda williams
“View from the Height’s mailboxes” by Lori Cole
What’s Up in Toquerville? I hope y’all are paying attention to what’s happening in our town. The City Council Meeting is always posted on YouTube for your watching pleasure and convenience.
At toquerville.org you will find a plethora of pertinent information from Meeting Agendas, Public notices, to Building Permits, City Code, Online payments, etc.
Gone are the days when our city was almost a one man show. Chester ran all of the above or what existed of it then out of his garage. City Hall? What’s that? Well we have one now. Let me just say,“We’re not in Kansas anymore”!
We’re grateful for our city council, planning commission and staff who are working hard to guide our little town through the growing pains and changes we are experiencing. “Growth is inevitable” is the mantra we seem to be hearing more and more. What direction will Toquerville take seems to be the question now. Things are changing ‘round these parts! Remember Toquerville’s motto “It’s the people!” and the people should pay attention and have a voice in how things go.
Public Hearing
City manager Afton Moore announced a Public Hearing will be held at City Council meeting on May 1, 2024 to discuss the budget for next year. Notice for this meeting will be posted 10 days prior. Feedback from citizens will be welcome.
Afton was pleased to announce that there will be no property tax increases or water increases for the coming year.
On a personal note: after the meeting I learned that congratulations are in order as Afton is engaged and will be married in September. So happy for you Afton Moore!
dark skies
Alex Chamberlain made a compelling presentation showing how our Dark Sky Ordinance is working…or not. He had photos, each taken on the same date, same hour, different years 2017, 2019, and 2024 to show how the sky is disappearing for star gazing, indicating we need to be more aware of light pollution and more careful of the kind of outdoor lighting we use.
Darrin LeFevre reported that the city has researched and identified 2 kinds of bulbs that can be used in streetlights to help preserve our dark skies.
From Alex’s photos it appears that some citizens could be more careful about the kind of outside lights they use.
When I moved to Toquerville I was so thrilled that I could actually see the Milky Way! Coming from Las Vegas I didn’t know the Milky Way still existed.
Public Comments
Jay Calloway expressed concerns about the safety of the very narrow Creekside Dr. and N. Ashcreek Rd. A discussion ensued about possible solutions.
Lynn Williams expressed concern about the emergency access/exit at Mesa View being gated and locked. The Development agreement expressly stated that it would remain open.
Zone Change Request
The mayor wanted business item G-2 tabled because the applicant was not able to attend this meeting. However, Councilmembers Wayne Olsen and Gary Chavez felt it should be discussed anyway so a spirited discussion ensued. An application was submitted from a developer applying for a zone change 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.
It seemed that most of the council was sympathetic to this change. Only Wayne Olsen asked,” What do the citizens want? Does this fit with what the citizens of Toquerville said they wanted in the surveys that were taken?”
Surveys revealed the majority of people that live in our town do not want booming growth, dense housing or smaller lots. Most of our people live here for the small town, rural atmosphere Toquerville provides. Hence the R-1-20 zoning.
It should be noted that the new General Plan for how Toquerville will develop going forward was just recently finalized, taking into account the citizen surveys.
It begs the question, what has changed since the plan and zoning was finalized? Is there a reason that would benefit the residents who live here? Why should we consider this zone change?
Zone Change application & more questions
The Zone Change Application form lists the required considerations to approve a zone change:
1. Whether the proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the General Plan.
2. Whether the proposed amendment is harmonious with the overall character of existing development in the vicinity of the subject property.
3. The extent to which the proposed amendment may adversely affect adjacent property and
4. The adequacy of facilities and services intended to serve the subject property, including but not limited to roadways, parks, and recreation facilities, police and fire protection, schools, storm water drainage systems, water supplies and waste water and refuse collection.
In considering this request facts and figures should be the only concern. Opinions have no place. Ask: does the project fit into the guidelines already set forth in the City Code of Toquerville? Is there any other R-1-12 in the area or is this THE big breakthrough?
It was stated this developer has done a lot for this community. We would be interested in knowing what that entails.
This item was tabled until the developer can be in attendance. Unless he has better reasons than profit it should be denied. We will look forward to hearing his reasons for seeking this zone change.
What do you think?