The Grand County Commission approved a request from the City of Moab to apply a Major Utility Overlay (MUO) to roughly three acres at 2651 South Spanish Valley Drive for construction of a 2.5-million-gallon municipal water storage tank and associated facilities.

What the vote approved: The commission voted to adopt the MUO overlay and specifically adopted the planner's findings for approval. The motion requires a development agreement under the county land-use code and directs the commission to consider increased standards (setbacks, buffering, height, massing, landscaping and fencing) because the project directly abuts residential zoning.

Why it matters: The City of Moab said the tank is needed to improve municipal water storage and system reliability. Neighbors raised concerns at the Planning Commission hearing about geology, potential leakage, pump noise and lighting. The Planning Commission had forwarded an unfavorable recommendation; county staff and the city said the site selection process considered several technical and public-works factors.

Commission debate: Commissioners said they reviewed staff reports and the city's engineering study before deciding. Some commissioners noted the site has been used for public-works purposes in the past and that a properly conditioned development agreement could address visual and environmental concerns.

Outcome and next steps: The commission approved the MUO and ordered that a development agreement be completed with conditions to address buffering, setbacks, lighting and construction controls. The city must bring the development agreement and project details back to the commission for final approval and any required building permits.

Sources: Staff presentation (county engineering and planning), city materials, Planning Commission record, commissioners' motion and vote.