Planning commission conditions Rocky Mountain Power CUP on open-space exemption

Town staff told the Versian Town Council on Feb. 11 that Rocky Mountain Power has a conditional use permit for a proposed electrical substation on Coler Road of approximately 2.9 acres in open-space zoning and that the planning commission's approval was conditioned on a council amendment to the open-space ordinance.

Planner/commission staff said the planning commission recommended approval of the CUP with one additional condition: the town council amend the open-space ordinance to exempt utilities and essential services from the 10‑acre minimum so the substation is permitted. "Planning commission approved Rocky Mountain Power CUP subject to town council amending the ordinance to exempt utilities from the acreage minimum," a planner said.

Councilors and staff discussed process and timing: staff said the ordinance could be a one‑page amendment and that the council could expedite it at the upcoming regular meeting to allow the utility to start construction sooner. Staff also noted the broader policy question of whether utilities should be exempt across zones, which would require public hearing and planning commission action before final adoption.

Council directed staff to prepare language, coordinate with the planning commission as needed and place the amendment on the next meeting agenda for council consideration; no final ordinance was adopted at the work meeting.