Planning commission holds public hearing on removing 25% slope ban from geohazards code

Morgan County Planning Commission members held a public hearing June 26 on a draft text amendment to the county geohazards code that would remove the longstanding 25% slope prohibition and require geohazard reports for properties with slopes of 15% or greater.

Planning staff explained the change was proposed after conversations among property owners, the county attorney, the county geologist and the county engineer about the legal risk of an arbitrary threshold. "The goal of this text amendment is to provide an opportunity for property owners who have developable lots to pursue that development, and place the liability not on the county, but on the professionals that have the licenses," Josh, planning staff, said during the meeting.

Mark Miller, county engineer, told the commission that steep slopes can often be mitigated if property owners are willing to pay…