Commission debates private cemeteries, public-facility zone and master-plan updates; tables land-use amendment

At its March 5 meeting the Genola Planning Commission spent substantial time on a potential amendment to the land-use appendix that would change how cemeteries and city-owned facilities are classified in the zoning table.

Planning staff introduced options including creating a municipal/public-facility zone to cover city-owned property such as parks, water tanks and public-works facilities, or alternatively adding separate entries in the land-use table to distinguish public cemeteries (permitted with conditions) from private cemeteries (potentially not permitted).

One commissioner argued for forbidding private cemeteries in town zoning, saying, “I would also recommend that we not allow private cemeteries,” noting private burial plots can limit future uses of a parcel. Planning staff responded that the state code permits private cemeteries and that the current local approach treats cemeteries as a conditional use in agricultural and rural zones, subject to planning-commission review.

Commissioners discussed the practical benefits of a public-facility zone—relaxed setbacks and tailored allowed uses—to ensure the town can site and maintain public infrastructure without becoming nonconforming in a different zone. The commission agreed to consult the town council on whether to pursue a new public-facility designation and to return with council guidance.

After debate the commission voted to table Item 6 (the land-use appendix amendment) so the chair can raise the proposals with the town council and staff can secure editable versions of the general/master plan and updated land-use maps before further action.

The meeting’s agenda also included a wider review of the general plan update; commissioners discussed getting an editable document from MAG (the Mountainland Association of Governments) to revise the future land-use map, identifying unbuildable areas (wetlands and steep slopes) to mark on the future map, and coordinating with regional water entities and the Bureau of Reclamation about potential trail piping and access along canal laterals.

What happens next: The chair will raise the zoning options with the town council; planning staff will request editable plan files from MAG and return to the commission with recommended language and a public-hearing schedule if the council supports amendments.