Planning Commission

MEETING MINUTES ALTA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, 3:00 PM Alta Community Center, 10351 E. Highway 210, Alta, Utah PRESENT: Rob Voye Dave Abraham Maren Askins Roger Bourke, Town of Alta Mayor (ex-officio) Absent: John Nepstad, Chair Jeff Niermeyer, Vice-Chair STAFF PRESENT: Chris Cawley, Town Manager Molly Austin, Assistant Town Clerk Chris Otto, Assistant Town Manager John Guldner, Cottonwood Lands Advisory Polly McLean, Town Attorney OTHERS: Meg Ryan, Utah League of Cities and Towns James Olschewski, UDOT Mike Naidu, UDOT 1. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR Acting Planning Commission Chair Rob Voye opened the meeting at 3:01 PM. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 28, 2023, MEETING Planning Commission Member David Abraham introduced a motion to approve the minutes from the November 28, 2023, Alta Planning Commission Meeting. Planning Commission Member Maren Askins seconded the motion, and the motion was passed with unanimous consent of the commission. 3. Presentation on Planning Commission Roles and Responsibilities: Meg Ryan, Utah League of Cities and Towns Meg Ryan facilitated a conversation with the attendees, including Rob Voye, David Abraham, Maren Askins, and Mayor Bourke, regarding their understanding of the Planning Commission's duties, roles, and responsibilities and provided insights and guidance from the perspective of the League of Cities and Towns. The discussion covered various topics, including state law constraints and requirements, the council's delegation of authority, and the need for clarity in the town code regarding the Planning Commission's roles and authorities. Alta Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024 1 Mayor Bourke expressed a desire for the Planning Commission to play a broader role in town planning beyond land use issues. Meg explained the statutory duties of the Planning Commission and suggested clarifying the town code to define the Commission's responsibilities more transparently. Overall, the meeting focused on improving the understanding and effectiveness of the Planning Commission's role within the town's governance structure. Meg also discussed the process of bringing matters before the planning commission for discussion and potential handoff to the Town Council for approval. Chris Cawley mentioned the idea of creating a comprehensive list of the Planning Commission's authorities to ensure clarity for all involved parties. Meg emphasized the importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities to maintain transparency and streamline processes, suggesting the use of a chart to delineate different areas of authority like the exhibit she shared in her presentation. The discussion touched on the role of the Town Council as the appeal authority. Meg expressed reservations about council members' objectivity in quasi-judicial matters. However, Polly McLean noted that the council's involvement in appeals was deemed important for the community's unique needs and complexities. The meeting also addressed the possibility of updating the land use code and general plan. Meg suggested prioritizing fixes to specific code sections before embarking on a comprehensive update. Commission members expressed appreciation for Meg's insights and the resources provided by organizations like the League of Cities and Towns. 4. Presentation on Status of SR 210 Easement or Right-of-Way Perfection and Dedication Project: James Olschewski, Utah Department of Transportation James Olschewski from UDOT, provided insight into a survey conducted to establish the right of way for State Route 210 from the mouth of the canyon to the beginning of the Albion Basin Summer Road. James explained that the survey aimed to establish the right of way and work with federal agencies on perfecting an easement for UDOT. He clarified that the survey focused on determining the right of way based on historical use and previously monumented boundaries. Chris Cawley then shared a graphic derived from the survey data, emphasizing the importance of understanding property boundaries, particularly those outlined in the special-use permit granted to the town. Discussion ensued regarding parking management within the right of way, with considerations for snow removal and safety. Various parking arrangements and jurisdictional boundaries were addressed, highlighting the complexity of parking management in the canyon. Commission members expressed gratitude for the clarity provided by the survey and discussed the implications for future planning and decision-making. The meeting concluded with appreciation expressed to UDOT for their collaborative role and the valuable insights gained from the discussion. 5. Discussion and action to appoint a commission chair and vice-chair for the 2024 meeting schedule. Alta Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024 2 Acting Chair Rob Voye decided to defer making any decisions on the election of new chairs until a future meeting where both the chair and vice chair could be present. 6. Discussion and possible action to adopt a commission meeting schedule for 2024 Maren Askins motioned to adopt the new meeting schedule for the fourth Wednesday of each month. Rob Voye Seconded the motion which then passed unanimously with the rest of the commission. 7. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2024 at 3pm. 8. MOTION TO ADJOURN Acting Planning Commission Chair Rob Voye moved to adjourn the meeting. Planning Commission Member David Abraham seconded the motion, and the motion was carried with unanimous consent of the commission. Minutes Approved on March 27, 2024 __________________________ Chris Cawley, Town Manager Alta Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 27, 2024 3