City Council

Thursday, March 29,2007
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
MARCH 29, 2007, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Rod Orton
Council Member Larry Gardner
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Bob Whatcott
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun

EXCUSED:
Council Member Gail Bunker

ALSO PRESENT:
Planning Commissioner Ross Taylor
Planning Commissioner Julie Hullinger
Planning Commissioner Ron Bracken
Planning Commissioner Mike Nobis

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur welcomed all present and called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Star Scout Braden Smith and the invocation was offered by Ronnie Smith of the Cross Point Christian Fellowship.

DISCUSSION RE STAINED GLASS FOR TOWN SQUARE TOWER:
Council Member Orton advised that the Art Council recommended the purchase of four stained glass panels for the Town Square Tower at a cost of $50,000. $30,000 is available for this project, and another $20,000 will need to be allocated.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised that the LDS Church will fund a new parking lot and pavers and landscaping around the Tabernacle at a cost of $300,000-$500,000.

DISCUSSION RE NEW URBANISM AND DESIGN STANDARDS:
Community Development Director Bob Nicholson distributed a hand-out entitled Accessory Unit Ordinance. Clayton Lucas reviewed the hand-out.

Rick Rosenberg made several suggestions to add to the proposed ordinance, referring to Santa Cruz, California?s similar ordinance.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised that the changes and suggestions would be incorporated into the proposed ordinance and brought back to the City Council for review at a later date.

Ron Bracken suggested that flexibility be incorporated in the ordinance for individual situations.

Community Development Director Bob Nicholson distributed a hand-out entitled Overlay Zone for Higher Density Housing. He explained that the proposed overlay zone is similar to that proposed by Cowboy Partners.

St. George City Council Minutes
March 29, 2007
Page Two

Council Member Allen suggested that a requirement for an on-site manager be incorporated into the ordinance.

Council Member Gardner suggested that the ordinance allow for the remodeling of former hotels.

City Manager Gary Esplin explained to the Planning Commission members that the City, in order to come up with a way to deal with inner block areas of the City and the attainable housing concept, has established a housing trust fund to use for theses projects. The City and IHC are working jointly to establish such a project on 500 South adjacent to the Children?s Justice Center. The project will be a showcase of what can be done under the new urbanism planning. There is also an opportunity for a similar project in the Dixie Downs area. A video was then shown of the project proposed for the 500 South area. Mr. Esplin explained that the City and IHC would enter into an agreement whereby IHC would take possession of half the housing units, and the City would take half the housing units and income-qualify buyers. In order to proceed with the project more flexibility in the City?s ordinances is needed to consider each project on a case-by-case basis.

Planning Commissioner Ross Taylor expressed his approval of the project and stated he felt sure downtown residents would support it.

A brief discussion was held with regard to the timing for placement of Planning Commission items on City Council agendas.

The meeting then adjourned at 5:20 p.m.



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Gay Cragun, City Recorder