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Planning commission begins work aligning local land‑use rules with upcoming WUI code
Summary
Staff briefed the commission on conflicts between the town’s land‑use code and the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code the town must adopt, including building materials, defensible‑space requirements and tree‑replacement rules; staff will seek expert input and return with detailed proposals after the council adopts the WUI code in June.
Springdale staff told the Planning Commission on May 6 that adoption of the state‑mandated Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code requires changes to local land‑use rules, and the commission began a detailed review of potential conflicts.
Staff (Niall Connolly) said primary conflicts concern building materials (for example, non‑fire‑rated wood siding and wood roof shingles), defensible‑space requirements and certain landscape standards such as the town’s 2:1 tree‑replacement rule. Staff suggested removing some non‑fire‑rated materials from the town’s recommended list or adding fire‑rated substitutes—fiberboard (Hardie board) was cited as an example. Commissioners debated whether to remove wood siding from the recommended list or prohibit it, and most asked for additional expert input before making prohibitions.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical implementation details: whether to use international code class ratings (Class A, B, C) for roof membranes rather than listing materials by name; how color‑palette requirements might exclude some fire‑rated membranes; minimum planting stock (5‑gallon stock, roughly 1–1.5‑inch caliper referenced in code) and whether to change the 2:1 tree replacement requirement to 1:1 with site‑specific adjustments where defensible‑space rules apply.
Staff clarified mapping and enforcement: the state’s URAP mapping is informational and the state’s 'high‑risk WUI property' designation (which triggers fees and inspections) covers a subset of properties—primarily the Anasazi Plateau—while the town may adopt a local WUI boundary to administer the WUI code. Staff said the council intends to adopt the WUI code in June and that staff will return with more detailed proposals modifying the land‑use code; staff emphasized education and mitigation over punitive enforcement for defensible‑space compliance.
Commissioners asked for technical input from the building inspector and fire professionals before the commission recommends prohibitions or strict material exclusions. Staff will post the draft local map on the town website and follow up with code amendment proposals.
