Commissioners direct staff to add canal-company exception to canal setback requirement

Planning staff briefed commissioners on an apparent inconsistency between an existing 16.5-foot canal setback in the zoning chapter and a 10.5-foot access requirement elsewhere in county code that supports vegetation and noxious-weed maintenance.

Staff described a practical problem: many Cache County irrigation ditches are narrow, privately operated and lack a continuous maintenance corridor, yet the zoning code’s blanket 16.5-foot restriction would affect property owners along many such canals. Staff suggested an approach that preserves setback protections where the canal company or county needs access while allowing exceptions where the canal company confirms maintenance is not impeded.

Commissioners directed staff to draft a narrow code change that would keep the setback but allow an exemption when the canal company provides written permission. Staff said the exemption should require a formal letter from the canal company board (not just a single member or employee) so the public record shows the company reviewed and approved the proposed structure or fence.

Staff will follow up by consulting canal companies and public-works/vegetation-management staff to craft a workable text and to consider how to handle timing where canal boards do not meet monthly.