Planning Commission report: zone change approved, draft changes to Title 16 and live-work rules to return to council

At the Virgin Town Council meeting, Darlene presented the planning commission’s report, summarizing several recent public hearings and actions. The commission heard public testimony on multiple items, held a brief hearing on a limited-impact conditional-use permit (CUP), discussed reinstating open-space language to the town code and considered a zone change that the commission approved.

Why it matters: the planning commission’s approvals and proposed code amendments will come before the town council for final action and change zoning and development rules that affect where and how properties may be used.

What the planning commission did - Conditional-use permit (limited-impact CUP, chapter 16): No written comments were received; the commission had no public comment on that item and will discuss it further at a work meeting. - Reinstating open-space language in the town ordinances: The commission proposed reinserting open-space language to give property owners and staff a code reference; no written or oral public comments were recorded. - Title 16 amendment (standards): The commission recommended amending Title 16 to allow for certain standards; because the item was discussed previously the commission voted to adopt the amendment and forwarded it for council consideration. - Zone change: The commission held a short public hearing on a zone change that reclassified property (transferring some uses to a different lot in connection with town needs). Three commissioners were present; the zone change passed the commission by a 2–1 vote. - Live-work update: Commissioners continued work on a proposed ‘‘live-work’’ ordinance. Commission members Larry and Lee worked with staff to merge their ideas into a single draft to be discussed further at a work meeting.

Public participation and next steps: Darlene said a few new residents attended the hearings and asked clarifying questions about the location and effect of the zone change. The planning commission will continue to refine the live-work proposal and will return items to the town council as required.

Quote "It was a very quick public hearing. Appreciate having some new voices that have come to me, though," Darlene said in presenting the commission report.

Background and timeline: The planning commission expects to discuss several of these items at a scheduled work meeting before forwarding final recommendations to the council. The commission had three members present for the vote mentioned in the report.