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Planning Commission recommends irrigated-fields line for Wildland-Urban Interface boundary
Summary
The Daniel Planning Commission recommended the Town Council adopt an irrigated-fields boundary — rather than the State's red high-risk line or the Fire District's Daniels Creek line — for applying Utah's HB 48 wildfire building requirements and potential annual fees to reduce the number of affected properties.
The Daniel Planning Commission on April 15 recommended that the Town Council adopt an irrigated-fields boundary to determine which properties will be subject to enhanced Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building standards required by Utah 2025 HB 48.
Planning Director Eric Bunker and Deputy Clerk/Recorder Merry Duggin explained that the State has produced a “high-risk” map that may lead to an annual fee for properties located inside the red-designated areas, and that the Town is required by HB 48 to adopt a local boundary and an associated code for future new development and additions. The code would apply to new work only; existing development would be grandfathered.
During the public hearing, residents and at least one council member urged the commission to adopt a boundary that spares irrigated properties and the low-lying hayfields, arguing that those irrigated acres provide a natural fire break and would reduce the number of landowners facing new fees. Council member Eric Bennett and resident Jack Rose both questioned whether residents south of the proposed boundary would face higher insurance premiums or lose coverage; Rose said residents feared the Town might “throw them under the bus.” Deputy Clerk/Recorder Merry Duggin said the State map influences insurer decisions and reiterated that the Town must adopt a boundary consistent with statute.
The Fire District had recommended a line following Daniels Creek east to Little Sweden Road; the Commission majority favored the irrigated-fields acreage line as a locally sensible alternative, noting the potential to revise the line in the future if conditions change. Commissioner Byron Horner moved to recommend the irrigated-fields boundary to the Town Council; Commissioner T.J. McGeean seconded. The motion passed: Skinner, yes; Taylor, yes; McGeean, yes; Horner, yes; Jones, yes.
The commission's recommendation is advisory; the Town Council will consider the recommendation and formally adopt the boundary and code. The Town and the State will continue to refine maps; the State's designation remains relevant for insurers and state wildfire response.
