Council continues decision on ridgeline location for Lot 44 at 1856 Joe Circle to next meeting

The St. George City Council continued action on an ordinance to establish the ridgeline for Lot 44 of the Master Ridge subdivision (1856 Joe Circle). Council members said the issue is subjective on the ground: the Hillside Review Committee produced one line on-site (the “blue line”), while a later curvilinear interpretation (the “red line”) was proposed by the applicant’s consultant and left the planning commission without a four-member majority recommendation.

Planning staff described multiple site visits and explained the ridgeline determination drives a required 30-foot setback from the abrupt edge. The two proposed lines differed by about 3.5 feet in places on the map; council members and the applicant noted the measurement grows in the western wedge. The applicant’s representatives said the red line would allow the house to sit slightly closer to the edge and described historical marking of the line; neighbors and some staff raised concerns about potential excavation disturbance and long-term maintenance of disturbed slopes.

Given the narrow margins, differing professional opinions, and that only four council members were present, Councilmember Steve Kemp moved and Natalie Larson seconded a motion to continue the item until a meeting with a full council. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmembers asked staff to arrange a site visit and provide additional analysis before the next hearing.

No formal determination of the ridgeline or legal setback was made; the continuation preserves the council’s ability to decide with full membership and more on-site review.