By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nephi City Council members changed a city ordinance on
a temporary basis so that Kern River Pipeline employees
could live in one RV park for the few months they will be in
town.
"State statute allows for the adoption of an ordinance
establishing a temporary zoning regulation in specific
circumstances," said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
Denton Hatch, city attorney, drafted an ordinance,
which the council adopted, addressing the urgent need for
temporary housing for construction workers involved with the
natural gas pipeline construction in the area.
"The temporary ordinance will expire on Jan. 15,
unless there is a need to extend the date," said Hatch.
The manager of the construction project informed city
staff that the construction phase should last approximately
two months so the January expiration date of the ordinance
should give ample time for the workers to stay in the
community's recreational vehicle parks before moving on.
"The temporary ordinance will be part of a chapter
that deals with mobile homes and RV parks," said McKnight.
"Nothing else in the ordinance will change."
When Hatch investigated state statute, he found that
the council had the authority to adopt a temporary ordinance
according to Utah Code and had a right to exercise its
legislative powers to do so.
He presented council members with copies of the Utah
Code dealing with zoning and the right to establish
temporary regulations.
Hatch said the council needed to establish a time
period for the ordinance to be in accordance with the
code.
Utah Code states that the temporary zoning regulation
is to have a limited effect which is not to exceed six
months.
"The 30-day limitation regarding the maximum length of
stay in recreational vehicle parks, set forth in the city
ordinance, is waived until Jan. 15, 2003, at which time the
30-day limitation as stated in the present ordinance is
automatically reinstated in full force without requiring any
further action by the city council," said Hatch.
Several years ago, the then council, determined that
it was in the best interest of the citizens of the city to
prohibit long-term stays in an RV park. Tourists and others
who need to park travel trailers or campers in an RV park
should plan to move them after the 30 days have lapsed.
At the time, council members agreed that persons
planning a long-term residence in Nephi, needed to live in
more than temporary housing.
"This construction phase is of a short-term nature but
does last longer than the term set by the current
ordinance," said McKnight.
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