Commission opens public hearings on I‑70 sign height and waterwise landscaping ordinance; hearings left open until Nov. 12

Grand County opened two public hearings Nov. 5 and left both open for additional public comment until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Sign height amendment: Consultant Andrew Jacks and County Engineer Sean Yates described a proposal prompted by a convenience store applicant at Crescent Junction who sought a variance after a permit application found the current code limited freestanding on‑premise sign height to 24 feet. Staff said a variance for sign height could not properly be granted through the variance process and instead proposed a zoning text amendment to permit up to 65‑foot freestanding signs in the Highway Commercial zone adjacent to I‑70, limited to properties within 350 feet of the right of way and to the interchanges. Commissioners left the hearing open to solicit more public input and scheduled a final vote for the Nov. 12 meeting.

Waterwise landscaping ordinance: Staff explained that the state’s turf buyback program requires participating jurisdictions to adopt a waterwise landscaping ordinance. Planning staff presented a template ordinance used by other Utah counties with an added recommendation about occupancy bonds for developers who cannot install landscaping before occupancy (a refundable $1,000 cash bond was proposed as one option). Staff noted accommodations could be made where low‑income developments receive state or federal assistance. That hearing also was left open to Nov. 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Both matters will return to the commission for action once the public comment period closes and staff updates the ordinances.