Moab seeks utility-overlay for 1.5M-gallon water tank; hearing left open for more review

City of Moab officials asked the Grand County Commission on Sept. 16 to apply a Major Utility Overlay to roughly 3 acres in Spanish Valley so the city can build a municipal water storage tank and related facilities.

The proposal seeks permission only to place the overlay on county zoning for a parcel near Spanish Valley Drive; site design, construction permits and mitigation measures would follow in subsequent reviews. “This is for a municipal water storage tank and associated facilities,” said Corey Shurtleff, Community Development Director for the City of Moab. He told commissioners the overlay is intended to enable the city to build storage that improves system reliability and enables an emergency interconnect that could serve the valley in crises.

The request drew close technical scrutiny from commissioners, county staff and nearby residents during an extended presentation and public comment. City engineers said the tank is being sized and sited to meet two operational needs: daily equalization and a large block of fire storage. “Fire storage is that 1,000,000 gallons that you see there that just has to live in…