HomeMy Public PortalAboutRes-CC-2018-13CITY OF MOAB, TOWN OF CASTLE VALLEY, AND GRAND
COUNTY, UTAH
RESOLUTION NO. 13-2018
RESOLUTION TO MAINTAIN LOCAL ZONING AUTHORITY OVER
SHORT-TERM RENTAL USES
WHEREAS, the Grand County, Moab City and Castle Valley Town Councils (herein "the
Councils") have each adopted their own General Plans;
WHEREAS, the Councils have each adopted Land Use Code for the purpose of regulating
land use, subdivision and development in accordance with their respective General Plans;
WHEREAS, the Councils are charged with enacting policies that protect the health, safety,
and welfare of their citizens;
WHEREAS, the Councils agree that local authority in the application of zoning regulations
is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens;
WHEREAS, the Governor of Utah on a visit with the City and County Councils in Moab
October 4, 2017 expressed support for local zoning control;
WHEREAS, the Councils recognize that short-term rentals (herein "STRs") that conform
with local zoning can benefit communities;
WHEREAS, the Councils also acknowledge: that every community is unique; that local
government by virtue of being closest to its constituents can be most responsive to their
needs; and that local control is important in deciding how and where uses like STRs fit in
a community - rather than applying a one -size -fits -all approach to all of Utah;
WHEREAS, the Land Use Code in Moab City and Grand County indeed allows for STRs in
specific zones, and the Town of Castle Valley allows rentals when greater than 25 days;
WHEREAS, the 2017 Moab Area Affordable Housing Plan indicates that 30% of housing
units in Grand County are either STRs or second homes;
WHEREAS, resort communities including Moab, Castle Valley and Grand County have also
experienced negative impacts from STRs, particularly in residentially zoned
neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, such impacts include but are not limited to: a decrease in affordable and
residential housing (as STRs convert housing to a more profitable commercial use, they
can outcompete residential uses, displace long-term tenants, and put the long term
viability of communities at risk); erosion of neighborhood attributes (eg commercialization
of residential zones, a more transient population); increased noise; refuse; unresponsive
owners or managers; speeding, parking conflicts and other traffic concerns;
WHEREAS, the Councils thus agree that the operation of STRs has the potential to
adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens, the integrity of
neighborhoods in their jurisdictions, and the overall quality of life in their communities;
WHEREAS, the Senator and two Representatives representing Grand County have asked
for a joint resolution confirming the Councils' agreement on this matter;
WHEREAS, the Councils endeavor to make clear and certain to the Utah Legislature and
State Leadership their position on this matter;
WHEREAS, the passing of HB 253 in 2017 has benefited illegal STRs while making it
more expensive and labor-intensive for communities to hold them accountable;
WHEREAS, the Councils have heard and considered all evidence and testimony presented
in regard to the maintenance of local zoning authority with respect to all forms of STR
uses (both owner -occupied and non -owner -occupied); and
WHEREAS, the Grand County, Moab City and Castle Valley Town Councils considered this
item in public meetings held respectively on February 6, 2018, February 12, 2018 and
February 7, 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Grand County Council, Moab City Council
and Castle Valley Town Council that they do hereby approve this resolution calling upon
the State of Utah:
1)To allow local governments to regulate local land use including short-term rentals.
2)To rescind HB 253 which the legislature passed last session (February 2017)
prohibiting enforcement of restrictions on short-term rentals through the use of
internet advertisement.
APPROVED by the Moab City Council, Castle Valley Town Council and Grand County
Council in open session this , day of 2018, this , day of 2018,
and this day of 2018, respectively by the following votes
City of Moab
Those voting aye:
Those voting nay:
Those absent:
Town of Castle Valley
Those voting aye:
Those voting nay:
Those absent:
Grand County
Those voting aye:
Those voting nay:
Those absent:
ATTEST:
Rachel Stenta, Recorder
ATTEST:
Jocelyn Buck, Clerk
ATTEST:
City of Moab
Emily Niehaus, Mayor
Town of Castle Valley
Jazmine Duncan, Mayor
Grand County
Diana Carroll, Clerk/Auditor Mary McGann, Council Chair