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Commission tables decision on 10 West Clark Street farm stand; staff and applicants to refine classification
Summary
Commissioners tabled a request to amend a conditional use permit for 10 West Clark St to allow two additional movable structures and expanded retail. The applicants described a community-oriented farm stand and gardening plans; commissioners questioned whether 'home occupation' is the correct use and asked staff and the applicants to pursue alternatives or code amendments.
The Grantsville City Planning Commission tabled consideration of an amendment to a conditional use permit for 10 West Clark Street after lengthy discussion about whether the proposed use fits the city's definitions for home occupations, accessory buildings and conditional uses.
Staff explained the item originated when a small, previously permitted farm stand expanded with two movable structures; because the structures were not part of the original approval, staff issued a violation notice and brought the matter to the planning commission. The question for the commission was whether these movable accessory buildings and the retail activity visible from the street could be allowed under sections 4.8 and 4.9 of the Grantsville land-use code or whether a different classification—such as a farm stand or community garden identified as a conditional use—would be more appropriate.
Multiple applicants and property owners described the operation as a community gathering place that grew organically: a small farm stand and craft sellers that draws neighbors and children, with plans for planter boxes, occasional produce and rotating local vendors. They emphasized the desire to keep the site informal and low-impact rather than a permanent commercial storefront.
Commissioners raised safety and logistics concerns for the corner lot: sight-lines for a potential future road stub, parking impacts that could interfere with a stop sign and a school bus stop used by children, and the need to preserve fire access. Several commissioners said the current 'home occupation' label did not fit the visible, street-facing nature of the use and suggested options including reclassification under a community-garden or farm-stand conditional use, a variance, or an amendment to the code to explicitly allow farm stands as conditional uses.
Given the outstanding questions about code interpretation, parking, setbacks and use classification, a commissioner moved to table the application so the applicants could meet with staff and staff could prepare options (including a possible code amendment). The motion carried by voice vote.
Next steps: applicants will meet with staff to determine an appropriate use classification or pursue a variance or code amendment; staff indicated the fastest code amendment timeline could reach council in mid-December if schedules align, but commissioners cautioned a realistic time frame might push into January.
