By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Mona is once again open to subdivision development now
that the moratorium, set last March, has been lifted.
Originally put into effect for six-months, the
moratorium was lifted just one month shy of it's placement
date.
In Utah, local governments can place a hold on new
development to update town planning regulations and/or
acquire open space. Mona Council members determined to stop
all subdivision building in Mona while council members
developed a subdivision ordinance.
Gordon Anderson, council member, made the motion to
adopt the ordinance and all voted in favor.
"We are using Alpine City's subdivision ordinance with
some changes," said Cory Squire, council member, who was
over the project.
"I think it is a pretty tough ordinance," said Harry
Newell, council member.
One requirement, is that all subdivision projects
require plats to be recorded. No person will subdivide any
tract of land which is located wholly or in part within the
corporate limits of the city or sell or offer for sale,
exchange, purchase, offer for recording, or otherwise convey
a parcel of land which is part of a larger tract, if such
sale or agreement would have the effect of creating a
subdivision as defined by the ordinance.
Before doing so, the subdivider needs to provide a
final plat, prepared in accordance with the provisions of
the Mona City Subdivision Ordinance. The map must have been
first reviewed by and received a recommendation from the
city planning commission, be approved by the city council,
and be recorded in the office of the county recorder.
Approval will not be granted until all other
applicable requirements in the ordinance have been complied
with.
"We did change the radius of the road in cul de sacs,"
said Squire. "We also stated that the grade for the
subdivision will be established and will be held to so that
the utilities and roads will be kept to that grade."
In addition, the council approved having two-feet
rolled concrete edges or curbs to the side of all roads in
all future subdivisions.
"If we don't do this we will continue to have problems
with homeowners building out into the roads like they are
doing in Pat Painter's subdivision," said Anderson.
The city planning commission will review and recommend
approval of all subdivisions before the city council reviews
those plans. In addition, all city departments will review
those plans as to roads, utilities and waterways.
In accordance with Utah Code Annotated, and other
provisions of similar import, the planning commission will
recommend subdivision regulations and amendments to those
regulations to the city council as provided in the Municipal
Land Use Development and Management Act.
The planning commission will recommend approval or
denial of subdivision applications as provided in the
Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act and will
review and recommend approval or denial to the city council
of all proposed subdivision projects within the City and
will require such changes in subdivision plans and documents
as it deems necessary to more fully implement the purposes
and provisions of state law, the ordinance and the city's
general plan.
The planning commission will also ensure that proposed
subdivision projects and the plans and documents submitted
in support conform to requirements;
The commission may withhold recommendation and the
submission of a recommendation to the city council until the
commission is satisfied that a proposed project and
documents conform to the city standards and that the
proposed design represents an appropriate balance between
the interests of the property owner and public purposes, as
set forth in the subdivision ordinance and in state law.
"We now have a 40-page ordinance that we have worked
through with the planning commission," said Rory Nielson,
council member.
According to information from the Governor's Office of
Planning & Budget, March 2006, it is not uncommon for a
city to experience such growth that a moratorium on any new
development is necessary to hinder any possible
repercussions of unanticipated development.
In addition local leaders may become concerned over
the lack of proper ordinances that may serve to protect the
public interest.
One of those there for the public hearing held prior
to the adoption of the subdivision ordinance, Michael Keyte,
had a concern, he said.
"Why do you want to put in all that concrete
(sidewalks and curbs) when you will just bust it all up when
you put in the sewer? You will have to tear up all the roads
at that time," he said.
The 40-pages of ordinance address the various topics:
Scope of Ordinance, Variances and Exemptions; Intent and
Purpose; Definitions; Procedure For Submission and Approval
of Subdivisions; Minor Subdivisions; Major Subdivisions;
Design Standards; Construction and Improvement Requirements;
Adequate Public Facilities; Financial Responsibility;
Permits and Fees; Infrastructure Protection Bond;
Constitutional Taking Issues; Site Plan to Comply; Street
Extension; Construction of Temporary Turn-arounds; Cut and
Fill Standards; Street and Road Specifications: Legal
Remedies; Severability; Emergency; Adoption.
"We have engineering specifications for
intersections," said Squire.
In the ordinance it states: "The attached Exhibit A
(engineering drawing) shall constitute the standards and
specifications for cut and fills for new streets constructed
within Mona City."
These standards will apply to all new streets
constructed within the city until such time as such
standards may be changed and approved by the city governing
body.
"In the opinion of the City Council, a public
emergency exists in connection with the matters herein
contained, and it is therefore necessary for the peace,
health, safety and the general welfare of the inhabitants of
the City of Mona that this Ordinance take effect immediately
upon its adoption," read the ordinance.
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