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Ephraim council enacts six‑month moratorium on new subdivisions and multi‑family projects
Summary
Ephraim’s City Council adopted Ordinance ECO 26-10 to pause new residential subdivision and multi‑family development in designated areas for up to six months to allow a code update and water‑demand review; the measure passed 3-0 after public comment urging exceptions.
The Ephraim City Council on July 1 approved Ordinance ECO 26-10, imposing a temporary six‑month moratorium on new residential subdivision applications and multi‑family projects in designated areas so staff can review and update the city’s development code. Councilmember Loren Steck moved to approve the ordinance; Councilmember Bud Powell seconded the motion. Councilmembers Jack Dalene, Steck and Powell voted in favor; Councilmembers Anthony Beal and Dennis Nordfelt were absent.
City Manager Katie Witt and Planner Megan Spurling told the Council the moratorium is intended to give staff, the Planning Commission and stakeholders time to update development standards (including density, amenities, landscaping and design requirements) and to evaluate long‑term water demand amid ongoing drought conditions. Staff emphasized exceptions: projects already approved and complete applications that have paid required fees would continue to be processed; individual single‑family homes on existing lots and commercial projects would not be affected; road dedications and infrastructure work could proceed independent of subdivision approvals.
Public commenters urged the Council to consider narrow exceptions or a short delay. Mike Ballard, representing Ephraim Crossing, asked that Phase 6 of his development be allowed to proceed because engineering plans and infrastructure work were nearly complete. Carol Jacobson expressed support for code updates but asked that infrastructure and road improvements continue so neighborhoods would not face prolonged construction impacts. Joseph Gallagher requested an additional two weeks to clarify ordinance language; Mel Jacobson asked whether the moratorium would last three or six months and expressed concern about potential impacts of a six‑month pause. Council discussion emphasized fairness, the difficulty of setting an exact queue cutoff, and an intent to finish the code review before the statutory six‑month limit.
The ordinance passed 3-0. Council directed staff to work with stakeholders and the Planning Commission on the review; staff will report progress to the Council and expects to complete the review before the statutory six‑month limit if possible.
The meeting continued to consider other agenda items and adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
