Kane County Planning Commission backs rezoning, adopts ordinance recommendations and expands administrative authority for Camp Kaia

KANAB, Utah — The Kane County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 8 recommended several ordinance changes to the County Commission, approved a rezoning to allow RV/dry camping on a 10‑acre parcel and granted the Land Use Administrator authority to process certain administrative amendments for Camp Kaia while federal wetlands and bridge permits are pending.

The commission met at 6 p.m. in the Kane County Commission Chambers. Chair John Reese and commissioners Doug Heaton, Larry Crutchfield and Matt Cox were present; Commissioner Gwen Brown attended as the ex‑officio County Commissioner. Staff included Land Use Administrator Shannon McBride and LU Administrative Assistant Kresta Blomquist.

Votes at a glance

- Zone change: Ordinance 2026‑11 (Parcel 2‑1‑33‑2) — Recommend approval to County Commission; unanimous recommendation. The rezoning would change 10 acres from C‑1 to C‑2 to allow RV/dry camping and related uses; applicant: Shawn Midkiff.

- Ordinance 2026‑10 (General Plan, Acknowledgement Section & Chapter 1) — Recommend approval to County Commission; roll call 3 ayes, 1 nay (Doug Heaton opposed).

- Ordinance 2026‑12 (CUP and temporary use time limits) — Recommend approval as amended to set a two‑year time limit; unanimous recommendation.

- Ordinance 2026‑09 (Roof heights and related exceptions) — Recommend approval with direction to adopt a 49‑foot maximum and include specific exceptions allowing certain features without a conditional use permit; unanimous recommendation.

- Administrative action: Camp Kaia conditional use permit — The commission unanimously authorized the Land Use Administrator to process administrative amendments and to remove temporary compliance holds upon verification that required permits have been obtained.

Camp Kaia: administrative amendments approved

Commissioners discussed Camp Kaia’s request to allow administrative amendments to its conditional use permit while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes a jurisdictional determination and wetlands/bridge permitting. Shannon McBride explained the proposed change would allow the Land Use Administrator to authorize work outside wetlands or bridge areas and to rescind temporary compliance holds once required permits are verified, rather than waiting for the Planning Commission to reconvene. The commission voted unanimously to grant that administrative authority, a move the staff said is intended to reduce project delays while federal reviews are pending.

Rezoning for RV/dry camping

Applicant Shawn Midkiff described plans for limited campsites, monthly rentals and the possibility of small cabins and a museum on a 10‑acre parcel (2‑1‑33‑2). Staff noted that C‑2 zoning is required for RV park uses and that a future conditional use permit will require feasibility letters, health and building approvals, and state coordination on highway access. The commission held a public hearing with no speakers and unanimously recommended approval to the County Commission.

General Plan revision drew a lone dissent

The commission reviewed edits to the Kane County General Plan acknowledgement section and Chapter 1 proposed by Commissioner Gwen Brown. Commissioner Doug Heaton opposed language in the revised acknowledgement, saying it could elevate neighbors’ interests above individual property rights. He cautioned that such language risks eroding private property protections over time and cited legal philosophy to underscore his concern, arguing there is not a separate “public property right” but rather individual rights tied to property ownership. After discussion, the commission voted by roll call to recommend approval (John Reese, Matt Cox and Larry Crutchfield voted in favor; Doug Heaton voted no).

Shortening—or lengthening—CUP timelines

Staff presented a proposal to revise time limits for conditional and temporary uses after several pre‑COVID approvals repeatedly returned for renewals. Commissioners debated whether the land use authority or the Planning Commission should handle renewals and whether a one‑year limit was adequate. Commissioner Matt Cox proposed extending the time limit to two years and removing administrative renewal language; Shannon McBride agreed that was appropriate. The commission unanimously recommended the ordinance with the two‑year amendment.

Roof heights: a uniform maximum and exceptions

The commission reviewed a County‑Commission‑revised approach to roof heights meant to avoid unintended zoning and cost consequences if residential structures exceed certain heights. Commissioners discussed a uniform maximum height, a pitched‑roof allowance limited to non‑habitable attic space, building height calculations, and a list of exceptions (steeples, flagpoles, chimneys, weather vanes, statues, water tanks, signs; and for non‑residential zones, communication antennas and FAA lighting). The commission directed inclusion of language under Exception 9‑10‑11 to allow certain uses without a conditional use permit and recommended a 49‑foot maximum; the recommendation passed unanimously.

What happens next

All recommended ordinances and the zone change will go to the Kane County Commission for final action. The commission adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

(Reported from the April 8, 2026 Kane County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes.)