Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Code Consolidation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Big Water planning commission approves code consolidation and forwards time-extension ordinance to council
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission on March 2 agreed to consolidate duplicate lot-adjustment language by having zoning code sections reference the municipal subdivision code, assigned a commissioner to revise the zoning overlay map accompanying Ordinance 02-2026, and voted to forward Ordinance 03-2026—granting the planning administrator authority to approve up to one-year time extensions—to the Town Council.
BIG WATER, Utah — The Big Water Planning & Zoning Commission on March 2 moved to reduce duplicate language in the town’s land-use rules and approved sending Ordinance 03-2026 to the Town Council for final action.
Commissioners reviewed overlapping provisions in Municipal Code 14.20.020 and 14.20.030 and Zoning Code 15.10.150 and 15.10.160 and agreed the provisions are substantially identical. The commission voted to retain the provisions in Title 14 (the subdivision ordinance) and amend Title 15 to reference Title 14 rather than repeat the same language. Staff said Title 14 was recently updated to comply with state subdivision standards and is the appropriate controlling authority.
Commissioners discussed a broader plan to streamline administrative approvals. Staff explained that certain approvals, including lot consolidations that meet established criteria, could be handled administratively to reduce delays while legislative authority would remain with the Town Council. Staff clarified that the proposed change transfers authority to grant time extensions to the Planning & Zoning Administrator, and that the one-year limit applies to the extension period rather than the administrator’s authority.
Under new business, Commissioner Wryht Short was assigned to prepare a revised zoning overlay map to accompany Ordinance 02-2026, which addresses supplementary development standards for commercial and industrial zones. The commission asked for clearer color differentiation between residential categories, blended colors for overlays, neutral tones for industrial areas, and distinct markings for government facilities and parks. Short volunteered to provide revised color versions, an updated legend, and an enlarged west-side map section and to deliver drafts in roughly one week for the March 18 Town Council meeting.
On Ordinance 03-2026, which would amend Section 15.24.030 to allow the Planning & Zoning Administrator to grant time extensions not to exceed one year, Commissioner Nicole Wood moved to forward the ordinance to the Town Council; Commissioner Jack Brisbin seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The commission also approved a motion—moved by Brisbin and seconded by Wood—to revise Zoning Codes 15.10.030 and 15.10.150 to reference Municipal Code 14.20.030 and for Zoning Code 15.10.160 to reference Municipal Code 14.20.020. Several unrelated old business items were tabled. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM.
Next steps: Wryht Short will submit the overlay map drafts for Council review before March 18; Ordinance 03-2026 will go to the Town Council for consideration.
