Ivins planning commission recommends denial of proposal to add moving‑truck rentals to C1 uses

The Ivins City Planning Commission voted to recommend denial to the Ivins City Council of a proposed zoning text amendment that would add moving‑truck and trailer rentals as an accessory use to self‑storage facilities in the C1 commercial zone.

The proposal, presented March 18 by Ben Godfordsen (owner/operator of the affected storage facility) and supported at the hearing by a representative of U‑Haul, would have changed the zoning ordinance—s table of uses to permit on‑site truck and trailer rentals at self‑storage businesses. Ben Godfordsen said the service would prevent Ivins residents from having to travel to St. George for rentals and that the facility has interior spaces and off‑street parking that could be used to store vehicles.

Staff and the Technical Review Committee (TRC) advised the commission that the C1 zone, as written and as historically used in Ivins, is intended for commercial services that support the city—s resort‑oriented character. TRC and planning staff reported that parking, street‑parking spillover, screening and fire‑access concerns raised questions about whether the use could be accommodated without changing multiple standards. TRC—s initial recommendation was to deny the change, noting the use historically has not been approved in Ivins— commercial zones.

Commissioners considered several options, including crafting supplemental standards (buffering, mandatory on‑site parking, screening) or making the use conditional (class 4 or class 5 conditional use permit) so that any operator would have to demonstrate mitigation. Some commissioners said a conditional‑use approach could limit negative impacts by making permits property‑specific; others noted that placing detailed conditions would require substantial staff work and code changes. Several commissioners also warned that approving truck rentals in the C1 table of uses could be interpreted to allow similar rental uses, such as car rentals, in C1 areas.

After discussion, a motion to recommend denial to the city council carried on a recorded vote (Commissioner White: Aye; Commissioner Robinson: Nay; Commissioner Brown: Aye; Commissioner Clifford: Nay; Chair: Aye). The commission—s action is advisory; the City Council will make the final decision on any text amendment.

At the public hearing, Ben Godfordsen told commissioners the facility has interior and corner parking areas where vehicles could be staged and that U‑Haul was prepared to require customers to return vehicles to designated spots. David Lewis, representing U‑Haul Corporation of Southern Utah, said the company—s market analysis shows Ivins and neighboring Santa Clara are underserved for local truck rentals.

Staff said that if the commission wishes to revisit the topic, staff can draft a set of supplemental standards and conditions for consideration — e.g., no street parking, interior storage of trailers, screening, and parking requirements — but that TRC—s review had not found any existing C1 locations where the use could easily be accommodated under current standards.