TOQUERVILLE, Oct. 8 — The Toquerville Planning Commission received an update Thursday on ongoing construction near the Firelight development, the lining of a new reservoir and completion steps for the town’s bypass road.

Darren, a planning commission member, told commissioners that aerial photos taken monthly show steady home construction: "we're continuing to get, about 2 to 3 a week," he said, noting that none of the new houses appear occupied yet. He said the developer has used one finished home as a model and that framing and paths are visible across the site.

The commission heard details about the new reservoir. Darren said an impermeable liner is already in place on multiple acres and that the liner is "about a quarter inch to half inch thick." He said contractors were placing clay and dirt on top of the liner — reporting fill depths of roughly 5 to 6 feet in places — and that clay material was being hauled from 3000 South in Hurricane. Darren described the area of completed liner and fill as approximately six acres.

Commissioners were also told that a local water district is building a dam associated with the reservoir and that work includes smoothing finishes and adding road access around the reservoir footprint.

On transportation, Darren said the bypass is open at both the north and south ends, with minor work remaining on the south end. The contractor is expected to finish a retaining wall and related tie-in work by the end of the month; during certain work windows, a single lane will be closed but two lanes will be kept open, he said. He added that some signage discrepancies remain — one northbound speed sign is posted at 40 mph while the corresponding southbound sign reads 50 mph — and staff will follow up before the city takes possession of the roadway. Darren said the city and Utah Department of Transportation still need to complete punch-list items before a jurisdictional transfer.

The commission also heard that a new private business, identified in the presentation as Satt Brothers, is expected to open soon; Darren reported people were already pulling off to visit the site during inspections. He noted the area near the business is being used to stage dirt and clay for reservoir lining.

Commissioners briefly discussed the presence of a first active traffic signal in the area; Darren said a ribbon-cutting could be scheduled.

The presentation closed with staff saying they would return with answers to follow-up technical questions, such as what would happen if the liner were punctured and clarifications on punch-list items needed for the jurisdictional transfer.

Less-critical items noted during the update included visible connections to nearby Silver Cliffs development and dirt roads that will serve as water-tank access for the neighboring development.

The commission did not take any formal action on the update; staff said they would return with additional technical information and timing for final acceptance of the roadway.