Star council adopts comprehensive plan updates, leaves one parcel unchanged

The Star City Council voted on July 21, 2026, to adopt a package of updates to the city's comprehensive plan map and text while leaving one owner-requested parcel (item 9) unchanged and directing staff to finish updated exhibits and data.

Staff planner Sean opened the public hearing, telling the council the map and text amendments recognize newly requested and city-initiated land-use revisions, align plan designations with current zoning, and add new public-use and open-space designations for selected Bureau of Land Management and Department of Interior holdings in the city's area of impact. Sean said staff followed UDC notice procedures and recommended adoption of the red-line text changes and the future land-use map, then asked council whether they wanted any edits before final exhibits were prepared.

Public commenters were split. Local resident Sushruth Parush, speaking as a 12-year-old, urged council to reject a high-density change north of Joplin Road, saying it "predetermines the community's future rules" and would strain roads, schools and public safety. Property owner Tom Canfield and counsel Sabrina Durche supported commercial designation near the proposed Val Nova/Highway 16 interchange, citing planned ITD improvements that will increase visibility and access. Jenna England, representing the Building Contractors Association, pressed the council to avoid adopting level-of-service code language that would be unpredictable for developers and financiers.

Council members focused on a few edits that staff had flagged for clarification. They agreed to remove a fire-district-specific clause from the text (section 11.1.0.1.0.4 as shown in staff materials), renumber the text accordingly, and add a short implementation policy to chapter 11 requesting that staff include language about a household hazardous-waste collection site.

Councilmember Solomonson moved to approve the future land-use map as presented (except item 9, which will remain at its current designation) and to adopt the staff-recommended text amendments with the deletions and renumbering discussed; Councilmember Day seconded the motion. On roll call the motion carried 3-0 with one member absent. Mayor Chadwick said staff will bring a final resolution and the updated exhibits back to council for formal adoption.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan outlines long-term land-use expectations and guides rezoning and annexation decisions. The council's action changes designations for properties across the city and will inform future zoning and development approvals; the council also left one contested request unchanged and asked staff to complete updated maps and data before final adoption.

Next step: Staff will prepare a resolution and final exhibit package reflecting the council's edits for a future council meeting, at which the council will formally adopt the finalized comprehensive-plan text and maps.