Kane County Planning and Zoning Commission recommends amendments, zone change and ordinance updates; extends CUP time limits

The Kane County Planning and Zoning Commission met April 8 and recommended a set of zoning and land-use changes to the county commission, including an administrative change related to Camp Kya, a zone‑change referral for a 10‑acre parcel, updates to the county general plan, a two‑year extension for conditional use permit (CUP) time limits, and a unified roof‑height rule.

Commission staff presented an administrative request for Camp Kya (also referred to as Dairy Canyon) that would allow the land-use administrator to process narrowly scoped CUP amendments and to remove temporary compliance holds once required permits are obtained. Shannon, the planning staff member presenting the item, said the camp currently lacks U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for wetlands and a bridge crossing but that “the Corps has actually indicated, they sent an email ... we concur that you can use it for construction. You just can't improve it ... You just can't do the improvements until we get the permit from them.” Shannon explained the request would let the project proceed with work that does not affect the wetlands or bridge crossing while awaiting Corps approvals. A motion to authorize the Land Use Administrator to process amendments and remove temporary compliance holds upon verification of required permits was moved, seconded and carried on a voice vote.

On a separate zoning item, the commission recommended approval of a zone change (ordinance 20 26-11) to rezone a roughly 10‑acre parcel from Commercial 1 to Commercial 2 to allow limited campsite and RV/dry‑camping uses. The applicant described modest plans for approximately 10 sites and occasional events. Staff noted RV parks require C2 zoning and a conditional use permit with feasibility letters (health department, UDOT) before full campground operations could proceed. The public hearing produced no public speakers; the commission voted to recommend the zone change to the county commission on a voice vote.

The commission also reviewed modest wording updates to the King County general plan acknowledgment section (ordinance 20 26-10). Commissioner discussion focused on balancing recognition of existing residents’ rights with new property owners’ interests; one commissioner objected to language that equated neighbors’ concerns with private property rights, and the chair allowed extended discussion before a roll‑call recommendation vote. The roll call recorded one no and three yes votes and the commission recommended the ordinance to the county commission.

On ordinance 20 26-12, commissioners discussed extending the time limit on CUPs and temporary uses. Staff described multiple projects delayed by permitting or budget issues since COVID and proposed allowing administrative extensions; commissioners expressed concern about placing too much discretion solely with staff. The commission agreed to amend the ordinance to extend the CUP time limit from one year to two years (removing the proposed administrative-only extension) so that projects that remain inactive two years would return to the planning body for review. The commission moved, seconded and approved the recommendation with that amendment.

Finally, commissioners considered a countywide roof‑height consolidation (ordinance 20 26-09). The ordinance moves height provisions to a single chapter and sets a uniform maximum with an allowance for pitched roofs. Commissioners debated whether the additional allowance should be 45 or 49 feet and whether narrow elements such as flagpoles, chimneys or similar two‑foot‑wide features should require a conditional use permit. The commission voted to recommend the ordinance with a 49‑foot maximum for pitched roofs and a two‑foot width exemption for narrow elements so those features would not require a CUP.

Votes at a glance - Camp Kya administrative amendment: motion to authorize the Land Use Administrator to process CUP amendments and remove temporary compliance holds upon verification of required permits — carried (voice vote). - Zone change (ordinance 20 26-11; C1→C2, ~10 acres): recommendation to county commission — carried (voice vote; no public speakers). - General plan acknowledgment (ordinance 20 26-10): recommendation to county commission — carried (roll call recorded 3 yes, 1 no). - CUP time-limit amendment (ordinance 20 26-12): recommendation to county commission with amendment to extend to two years (administrative language removed) — carried (voice vote). - Roof‑height consolidation (ordinance 20 26-09): recommendation to county commission adopting 49‑foot pitched-roof allowance and a two‑foot exemption for narrow elements — carried (voice vote).

What happens next All recommended ordinances and the zone‑change referral will proceed to the Kane County Commission for final action. Projects requiring CUPs (including the campground possibility for the rezoned parcel) will still need required feasibility letters and any necessary permits (including Corps approvals for wetlands/bridge work) before full operations can commence.

Meeting attendance and context The meeting included multiple commissioners, planning staff (Shannon), and an applicant who spoke about the proposed campsite. One remote caller raised concerns about future uses during the general‑plan item; staff advised the caller to raise concerns at the county commission hearing where the final decisions will be made.

The commission adjourned at 6:56 p.m. on April 8, 2026.