Council approves Cal Ranch accessory structure with safety, visibility conditions after neighbor concerns

Tooele City Council on Feb. 12 approved a conditional use permit to allow an 8-by-14-foot accessory storage and display building in the Cal Ranch parking lot at 832 North Main Street, adding conditions to address safety and visual impacts.

Why it matters: Commissioners expressed concern that placing a storage building inside a parking lot could create pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, reduce visibility and affect neighborhood aesthetics. To mitigate those concerns the motion that passed 7-0 required reflective material on all four corners of the new structure (minimum height: no less than 3 feet above grade), and allowed the council to add other conditions as needed.

What was proposed and discussed Planner Kent Page told the commission the structure is currently present and measures about 8 feet by 14 feet; staff saw no code conflicts but recommended the commission consider neighborhood character and safety. Commissioner Hammer said he observed no similar accessory buildings in parking lots during a site visit and described safety and aesthetic concerns, noting the structure is located in a travel/parking area and has limited lighting.

Applicant Guy Penanzio told the commission that the building is used primarily for storage of supplies (not an active shop), that employees typically carry items infrequently (between shifts or at end of day), and that the building's exterior was constructed to match the shop. Penanzio said the shed currently has no power and that lighting could be added if the commission wishes; he offered to install reflective signage and bollards if needed.

How the council resolved it Commissioner Sloan moved to approve the conditional use permit with the added condition that the four corners of the structure be wrapped in reflective material at a height of no less than three feet above grade; Commissioner Hamilton seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Council members and staff noted that any conditions must be supported by findings that they mitigate identified detrimental effects, and the record reflects that the committee identified visibility and nighttime safety as such effects.

Next steps The reflective-material condition and any additional required mitigations will be reflected in the permit file; the Planning Department and Code Enforcement will verify compliance before permitting the accessory building for sales/display use.