Scofield council adopts ordinance easing some commercial setbacks, appoints Ashley Pace as treasurer and authorizes cemetery porta‑potties

Scofield — The Scofield Town Council voted to adopt Ordinance 4‑2026 on amendments to commercial setback requirements and carried a series of administrative items on Tuesday, including appointing a new town treasurer and authorizing temporary bathroom facilities for an upcoming cemetery cleanup.

The council adopted the setback changes after a discussion about modifying Table 4 of the zoning code, setting a 50‑foot minimum frontage for commercial lots and allowing certain rear and side setbacks to be reduced to 0 feet or 10 feet under specified conditions, provided buildings meet applicable fire‑safety requirements. The chair said the changes were intended to help revitalize the commercial area and make small lots easier to develop. Council members stressed that any zero‑setback construction would have to comply with county building and fire codes, including appropriate firewall construction and emergency access for hoses and equipment.

"As long as you're meeting fire code and there's no discharge of snow, water, etc., onto an adjoining property, it can be at 0 feet," the chair said during the discussion.

The ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript does not list an individual roll‑call tally.

In other action, the council appointed Ashley Pace as town treasurer. The chair nominated Pace and moved to appoint her; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. "I'd like to appoint Ashley Pace as our new town treasurer," the chair said during the nomination.

The council also authorized portable restroom rental for the cemetery cleanup on May 16 through Memorial Day (May 25). Members discussed typical rental durations and costs and agreed to authorize up to $400 for the rental period; that authorization was confirmed by voice vote.

On the master fee schedule (Resolution 4‑12‑2026), the council retained the existing rezone application fee at $500, a figure cited from prior materials. Council members agreed to set routine fees for special exemptions and variances and to defer setting a specific annexation fee for further review at the next meeting.

A separate zoning draft, Ordinance 3‑2026 to create an R2 residential zone and reduce setbacks for legal nonconforming lots (lots under 60 feet frontage), was discussed but tabled to the next meeting pending additional input from a fire‑code expert. Council members asked staff to invite a fire official to explain firewall and setback implications before taking final action.

Council members also discussed planning for Pleasant Valley Days fireworks. The town has a previously approved $12,000 budget line for fireworks procurement; council members said they were still seeking certified pyrotechnicians to set off the display and may call a special meeting if a contractor becomes available on short notice.

The meeting opened with routine business — approval of minutes and financial adjustments across multiple funds — and closed after a motion to adjourn.

What the council decided at a glance

- Ordinance 4‑2026 (commercial setbacks): adopted by voice vote; details include 50‑foot minimum frontage and conditional 0/10‑foot setbacks subject to fire‑code compliance. - Appointment: Ashley Pace named town treasurer; motion seconded and approved by voice vote. - Cemetery cleanup porta‑potties: authorized for May 16 through Memorial Day; rental authorized up to $400. - Master fee schedule (Resolution 4‑12‑2026): rezone fee retained at $500; annexation fee deferred for further review. - Ordinance 3‑2026 (R2 residential setbacks): tabled to next month pending fire‑code input.

Next steps: The council asked staff to confirm fire‑code guidance for reduced setbacks and to follow up on locating certified personnel for the fireworks display; the town will revisit annexation fees at the next meeting.