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Emigration Canyon commissioners weigh wildfire restrictions, abandoned homes and FCOS enforcement
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Summary
Emigration Canyon planning commissioners pressed the ombudsman and staff about abandoned canyon homes, code enforcement limits on remote properties, and wildfire risk; commissioners discussed a year‑round or seasonal open‑burn prohibition, better public outreach, and whether to retain the FCOS overlay or fold its standards into the zoning code.
Commissioners in Emigration Canyon used the ombudsman briefing to raise immediate local concerns: many commissioners described dilapidated or vacant homes in canyon neighborhoods, asked when nonconforming rights terminate, and urged stronger steps to reduce wildfire risk from backyard fires and other open burning.
Committee member (S3) described multiple canyon properties that appear abandoned and asked when a use or structure loses its nonconforming status. "A lot of them appear to be just falling into neglect," the member said, asking whether a developer could later rebuild in the same footprint despite modern setback and stream‑setback rules. Richard Plaine said state law treats abandonment of a use and noncomplying structures differently: a use is generally presumed abandoned after one year of nonuse; a structure destroyed involuntarily may be reconstructed, but voluntary demolition or prolonged neglect can terminate nonconforming status.
Wildfire risk dominated later discussion. Commissioners noted Unified Fire and some local ordinances already restrict open fires and fireworks in canyon areas; several commissioners urged clearer signage at canyon entrances and direct outreach. Committee member (S2) asked whether the city could adopt a year‑round ban on outdoor fires; others favored a seasonal order or a permit system to allow safer, regulated alternatives.
Staff said the city has communication channels (quarterly newsletter, road‑event notices and signage) that can be used immediately to raise awareness; commissioners proposed prominent front‑page notices and canyon entrance signs stating the ordinance number and a phone number for complaints. Commissioners discussed enforcement challenges for remote parcels and the county example of drone use for remote inspections, but acknowledged staffing and safety limits on in‑person enforcement.
On the FCOS overlay, commissioners debated whether to retain the overlay zone or fold FCOS standards into the underlying development code. Plaine said both approaches are lawful; overlays can make special regulations more visible to property owners, while incorporating standards into the zoning code reduces duplication and simplifies updates.
No formal action or votes were taken at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to draft recommendations on public outreach about fire restrictions, to review how abandoned and derelict properties are handled under existing ordinances, and to present options for how FCOS should be maintained in the code.
The commission adjourned after agreeing staff would return with proposed language and outreach materials.