Council approves amendment to Devario development agreement to allow limited disturbance for sewer and wash work

The St. George City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-004 to amend a development agreement for the Devario project, permitting a limited disturbance of roughly 5.03 acres in the southern edge of Planning Area 2 to allow installation of a sewer line and channel work on Gap Canyon Wash.

Planning staff explained the Devario development agreement dates to about 14–15 years ago and required certain open-space preservation. The applicant said they need a sewer alignment to reach Planning Areas 4, 5 and 6 and prefer a culvert approach rather than an expensive bridge; that requires channel narrowing and work within the approximately 5-acre area. Staff and the applicant told the council the disturbed area would be revegetated and restored, and the amended agreement includes mitigation terms and monitoring. Council and staff discussed limiting disturbance with orange fencing, a contractor plan, and a revegetation/maintenance bonding or establishment period; staff said the developer chose a three-year establishment period rather than running permanent irrigation.

Councilmember Steve Kemp moved to approve the Devario development agreement amendment with the condition that the applicant prepare a disturbance/mitigation plan with staff and follow the agreement’s mitigation requirements. Councilmember Natalie Larson seconded. The council held a roll-call vote: Steve Kemp, aye; Michelle Tanner, aye; Jimmy Hughes, aye; Natalie Larson, aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Staff said the developer is responsible for preparing the plan, staging equipment to minimize off-limit disturbance, and restoring native vegetation in coordination with the parks department. The agreement amendment keeps the area classified as open space after initial, limited disturbance required for infrastructure.