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Ivins planning commission recommends Habitat Conservation Ordinance to city council
Summary
The Ivins City Planning Commission on June 3 recommended approval of a Habitat Conservation Ordinance that implements elements of the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan and an environmental mitigation fee; the ordinance will go to the city council on June 19.
The Ivins City Planning Commission voted unanimously June 3 to recommend approval of a Habitat Conservation Ordinance that implements aspects of the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan and establishes an environmental mitigation impact fee.
The ordinance text, read into the record by staff, says much of Washington County and all land inside Ivins’ municipal boundaries is designated critical habitat for the Mojave Desert tortoise under the Endangered Species Act and that the county’s Habitat Conservation Plan and an associated Incidental Take Permit are the mechanism to reconcile development with the Act. The commission’s motion to recommend approval was moved, seconded and received four recorded ayes.
Commissioner Jason Robinson raised a question about wording that, he said, “kinda makes me believe that it's ... muddies it a little bit,” asking whether the ordinance statement meant the reserve contained all city land or simply that the federal critical-habitat mapping covers the whole city. City staff clarified the distinction, saying the federal study mapped critical habitat across Ivins even though only a portion of that mapped area is inside the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve; the reserve is the mechanism that permits development under the incidental-take framework.
After discussion the commission moved, and the roll call showed Commissioners Robinson, Brown and Clifford and Chairman Bryant voting to recommend approval. Staff told the commission the ordinance will be transmitted to the Ivins City Council and scheduled for council consideration on June 19.
No amendments were adopted during the commission meeting. Commissioners and staff noted the ordinance is intended to balance legal obligations under the Endangered Species Act and the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan with the city’s interests in managing local development.
The commission’s recommendation concludes the planning commission level of review; the item will be considered next by the Ivins City Council on June 19, 2025.
