Snowflake council adopts 2018 building codes, approves fee schedule and denies proposed mobile‑home park

Snowflake Town Council members on Sept. 7 approved a package of administrative changes and building-code updates, denied a developer's request to build a mobile‑home park with commercial sites and tabled a separate request to place a single‑wide manufactured home on agricultural land.

The council approved Resolution 2021‑08, a comprehensive fee schedule, by a 4‑2 vote after debate over whether the package could be separated into individual votes; Councilmember Lynn Johnson moved to adopt the resolution and Bob Flake seconded. The council also adopted Ordinance 2021‑08 and Resolution 2021‑04 to bring the town's building code in line with the 2018 model code, a measure town staff said is intended to increase safety and align Snowflake with neighboring jurisdictions.

Why it matters: council votes will affect permit and inspection costs for residents and developers, and updating to the 2018 building codes changes contractor requirements and technical standards that affect local construction and safety oversight.

Chato Hazelbaker, who began in July as president of NPC, gave an update on the college's strategic priorities and said the institution is focusing on programs that support regional economic development and student needs. Hazelbaker said the college is examining broadband as "one of the biggest issues facing students," and when asked to confirm reports that the Silver Creek Campus would close he said, "Yes, that can be put to rest." Councilmembers thanked NPC for supporting local economic-development efforts.

Land‑use debate and permit outcomes: Town staff presented a special‑use permit application for parcel 202‑23‑101 proposing a mobile‑home park with some commercial sites. Planning & Zoning raised concerns about flood mitigation and water retention; Jeff Greer of the P&Z commission asked that the developer present a stormwater remediation plan. Several councilmembers, including Greg Brimhall and Councilmember Kerry Ballard, said converting a premium commercial frontage into long‑term rental or non‑retail uses could reduce sales‑tax revenue for the town. Staff recommended denial primarily for that reason. Byron Lewis moved, and Allison Perkins seconded, to deny the special‑use permit; the motion passed unanimously with Cory Johnson absent.

Separately, applicants Mike and Monica Olsen requested a special‑use permit to place a single‑wide manufactured home on an agricultural parcel, saying a single wide was "what they could afford" and that the unit would be ground‑set. Neighbors opposed the variance based on existing code requiring wider units; Councilmember Byron Lewis moved to open‑table the item for further consideration and Bob Flake seconded. The motion passed 5‑1 (Perkins opposed), leaving that request unresolved.

Zoning and public‑safety comments: the council read Ordinance 2021‑09 by title only on a request to rezone parcel 202‑56‑998 from general commercial to residential transitional. Supporters such as Mike Lackey spoke in favor; a nearby resident raised concerns about ingress and egress for emergency vehicles. Fire Chief Nelson said ingress/egress and adequate water supply are critical and that the council would ensure required criteria are met.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (minutes, check register, CFO resolutions, APS agreement, department reports) — motion passed unanimously (Cory Johnson absent). • Resolution 2021‑08 (comprehensive fee schedule) — motion passed 4‑2 (Flake, Johnson L, Lewis, Brimhall in favor; Ballard, Perkins opposed; Cory Johnson absent). • Special‑use permit 202‑23‑101 (mobile‑home park & commercial sites) — denied; motion passed unanimously (Cory Johnson absent). • Special‑use permit 202‑13‑084E (single‑wide on AG parcel) — tabled (motion to open‑table passed 5‑1; Perkins opposed; unresolved outcome). • Ordinance 2021‑07 (change required number of readings) — adopted unanimously (Cory Johnson absent). • Ordinance 2021‑08 and Resolution 2021‑04 (adopt 2018 building codes) — adopted unanimously (Cory Johnson absent).

What council members said: Councilmember Lynn Johnson said he supported trail fees as part of the fee schedule; Councilmember Kerry Ballard and Councilmember Allison Perkins said they opposed the fee package as presented. Jeff Greer of the Planning & Zoning commission said he was initially opposed to the mobile‑home park application because of flooding concerns and requested the developer present a stormwater plan.

The meeting closed with council reports and a manager's update noting pool‑construction delays caused by an architect's late delivery; no completion schedule was available. The council adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.