Planning commission recommends council approve Thomas Griffiths’ short-term rental but bars events

The Orderville Planning and Zoning Commission on July 30 voted to recommend that the town council approve a conditional-use permit allowing Thomas Griffiths to use his home at 1 Wild Turkey Way as a short-term rental, and added a condition prohibiting events at the property.

Chair introduced the application and opened the meeting for public comment. A neighbor identified in the record as Eric Jenkins said the Griffiths do not have a legal right of way across Jenkins' property and argued that allowing a rental could increase traffic and public access. "He doesn't even have a legal right of way through there," the resident said during public comment.

Other residents and commissioners disputed whether short-term rental use would materially increase traffic compared with long-term occupancy. One commenter cited Utah law and suggested a prescriptive easement could exist after seven years of open use; another resident and the chair pointed out that disputes over easement ownership are civil matters for courts and do not by themselves disqualify an applicant under the town’s conditional-use standards.

Commissioners reviewed operational details in the application, noting the house has four bedrooms and eight off-street parking spaces. The commission discussed using standard ordinance measures (one off-street parking space per bedroom) and proposed a recommended condition to prohibit events such as weddings that would otherwise increase traffic on the contested access route.

A commissioner moved that the commission recommend approval of the conditional-use permit for a short-term rental; the motion carried. The commission recorded one abstention by a member who reported a direct financial tie to short-term rental programs. Chair invited affected neighbors and the applicant to appear at the upcoming town council meeting, which will make the final decision.