THE UNIQUENESS OF ST. GEORGE AS A LOVING CARING PEOPLE COMES SHINING THROUGH WITH THE LEARNING CENTER’S SUPPORT OF THE SOON TO BE SENSORY GARDEN PORTION OF THE ALL ABILITIES PARK

May 21^st City Council Meeting put the spotlight squarely on what I believe is the most meaningful attribute of our community…..A collection of people actively doing what has come to be known and described as the Lord’s Work…Being of Service to your fellow man.

Mayor Pike welcomed members and supporters of The Learning Center….An agency that is known to serve children with a Sensory Processing Disorder. The public was able to see what is meant by that old adage… “Charity Never Faileth” as a large congregation stood before the Council and presented the city with a check in the amount of $10,000… to sponsor the “Sensory Garden” portion of the new All Abilities Park. To make this presentation more meaningful to the City and TLC…It is to be appropriately named, the “Debbie Justice Sensory Garden”…In honor of retiring TLC Executive Director, Debbie Justice.

Folks, whether you have religious beliefs or not, you would be hard pressed not to acknowledge the good that is done within this community by those who routinely go about the business of being of service to others. Kudos to TLC and a profound thank you to SG City for reflecting community values in building an All Abilities Park. Please note that total contributions to this effort have now reached approximately $300,000 and are expected to climb. All donations regardless of amount are welcomed by city.

CONSENT CALENDAR: Council approved the financial report for April 2015. Revenue and General Fund has reached approximately 83% of expectations and Expenditures are at 71%.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Council approved zone change from C-2 (Highway Commercial) and R-1-10 (Single Family Residential 10,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size) to PD-C (Planned Development Commercial) on 28.802 acres generally located at the northeast corner of Riverside Drive and Mall Drive from Mall Drive to 2200 East and Riverside Drive to the River. Smith’s Food and Drug Center, applicant.

Folks, you may soon see a state of the art Super Market and Gas Station to be located on what will be known as The Dinosaur Crossing Shopping Center that will include a dozen other businesses that will require a final approval by Council. City Staff reported that consideration will be given to Traffic Study, 2 large Pillar Signs and 8 Monument Signs. This will be the second major commercial center to be approved near the new Mall Drive Bridge that crosses the Virgin River. You may soon see Traffic Signal Lights appearing at the intersection of Mall Drive and 3000 East. All of this is part of the total Build Out of the City that may one day see 160,000 residents.

PUBLIC HEARING: Council approved a zone change from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-1-8 (Single Family Residential 8,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size) on 20.66 acres general located in Little Valley, east of 3000 East Street and north of the logical extension  Crimson Ridge Drive. Development Solutions Group, applicant.

Councilman Hughes commented that he knew this is on Master Plan, “What we agreed to” but, “It gives me Heartburn” when I think of number of units per acre and traffic issues.

PLANNING COMMISSION ITEM: A request was received from MVA Properties, Mr. Jared Nielson applicant. Mr. Robert Reid, Rosenberg Associates, representative, for permission to construct a multi-family four (4) story above ground apartment complex called “Catamaran Plaza” with associated two (2) levels of underground parking that would be approximately fifty-eight feet (58) ABOVE GRADE AND WOULD EXCEED THE ALLOWABLE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF 35 FEET, UNLESS THE City Council grants a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) for a greater height as per City Code 10-10-4. The property is located directly north of the electrical substation at the intersection of Riverside Drive and 1990 East Street and is south of existing Rebel Creek Ridge apartments.

When a new structure is proposed that exceeds the allowable height as per City Ordinance, the Planning Commission reviews the plans, and then either: 1) recommends approval of the request to the City Council, who will set the maximum height with a Conditional Use Permit, of 2) recommends denial of the request to the City Council.

Folks, this proposed site contains Hills and Mounds that require the Hillside Review Board to conduct an examination of the site and to forward to the Council a recommendation based on its findings. Councilman Almquist has served on this board and acts as a liaison to Council. Mr. Almquist made it known that a member of the Hillside Review Board found himself in a “Conflict of Interest” concerning this development and in fact declared a conflict. In recognizing the forthrightness of this individual Mr. Almquist wished to bring attention to the integrity of this individual. In furtherance of gaining a better understanding of “Conflict of Interest” procedures as outlined in Utah Municipal Code Laws, Mr. Almquist requested that Acting City Attorney, Paula Houston review the wording/content of statute. This having been done it was clearly established that the Law Required a Declaration of Conflict of Interest when identified elements were met. It was clearly pointed out that an individual having declared a conflict of interest was not legally required to Recluse him or herself or from engaging in the process.  Mrs. Houston rendered her legal opinion clarifying appropriate behavior. Mr. Almquist made no further comment.

It is clear that SG City is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. There is a lot going on in our community and I encourage you remain vigil and informed.                        ED BACA