Planning commission recommends adding water use and preservation element to general plan to comply with Utah law

The Washington City Planning Commission voted Dec. 3 to recommend that City Council add a water use and preservation element to the city's general plan, a requirement under Utah State Bill 110 (2022).

What staff presented: Sebastian (planning staff) introduced the water element and said Utah law requires municipalities to incorporate water‑use and preservation language into their general plans. Staff highlighted Washington City’s existing measures, including adoption of a joint regional water‑conservation plan, a proactive landscaping and water‑conservation ordinance, and implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to monitor water usage.

Context and legal basis: Planning staff and legal counsel explained that the state law adds required elements to local general plans so municipalities can continue to exercise zoning authority and better manage water resources at the planning level. The staff presentation broke the water element into sections and invited questions from the commission.

Action and outcome: Commissioner Mitchell moved and Commissioner Davis seconded recommending approval of the water use and preservation element for forwarding to City Council. The motion passed by voice vote. Staff said the city already enforces many of the practices described by the element and that the general‑plan language formally places those policies in the general‑plan framework to meet the statutory requirement.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for adoption; the change is primarily policy language to align the general plan with state law and does not in itself alter zoning entitlements.