Planning Commission sends residential-pond regulations to City Council with edits after wide public comment

The Murray City Planning Commission on Oct. 16 voted 4–1 to forward a proposed amendment to Chapter 17.76 (Supplementary Development Standards) concerning residential ponds to the City Council with one modification: the commission struck subsection E, sub‑a (the permit threshold language) from the draft before forwarding it.

Chad Wilkinson, planning staff, presented background and a draft ordinance that would add standards for private residential ponds. He said the work grew from a citizen request at a recent council meeting and staff research of surrounding cities’ approaches. Wilkinson told the commission Murray historically has not required permits for ponds and that municipalities vary: some require permits at 24 inches depth or at volumes such as 5,000 gallons, others use excavation thresholds or different triggers. He…