HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2019-05-07MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING
MAY 7, 2019
Call to Order and Attendance: The Moab City Council attended a Special Joint City Council
and Grand County Council Workshop Meeting on the above date in the Grand County Council
Chambers at 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. An audio recording of the meeting is archived
at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. In attendance were Mayor Emily Niehaus and City
Councilmembers Kalen Jones, Karen Guzman -Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd and Mike
Duncan. Councilmember Rani Derasary was not in attendance. Also present were City Manager
David Everitt, Assistant City Manager Joel Linares, Sustainability Director Rosemarie Russo,
City Planner Nora Shepard and Records Specialist Eve Tallman. Representing Grand County
were Councilmembers Mary McGann, Terry Morse, Jaylyn Hawks, Evan Clapper, Curtis Wells,
Rory Paxman and Greg Halliday, as well as County Council Administrator Ruth Dillon, County
Community and Economic Development Director Zacharia Levine and County Clerk Chris
Baird. Twenty-three members of the media and public attended. Chairperson Clapper opened
the meeting at 2:03 PM.
Discussion Regarding Arches National Park congestion and future studies to
address a short-term plan: Councilperson Wells presented an overview of congestion
concerns. A representative from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) explained
there were transit funds available to pursue further study of congestion and Recreation Hot Spot
funding need not be used. Timed Entry (reservations), shuttles and added entry points for the
park were discussed. Wells stated congestion is not good for business and even if a shuttle were
determined to be feasible, it could not be developed within two years. Councilmember McGann
spoke in favor of timed entry and noted there had not been a survey of tourists who have
declined a visit to Moab due to congestion. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd also spoke in favor
of timed entry. Park Superintendent Kate Cannon stated that commercial vehicles such as buses
and private shuttles would be exempt from the reservation system. She also noted the proposed
timeframe for reservations had been reduced from eight months to six, and proposed hours
requiring reservations had been reduced to 7:0o AM to 3:0o PM. She added that a shuttle
system would take years to develop and was costly. Councilmember Duncan supported a
reservation system. Councilmember Halliday stated there were too many people in too small of
an area and condoned spreading people to other parks. Councilmember Morse said he sees the
reservation system as more fruitful for dining and shopping and adds to the quality of the visitor
experience. Additionally developed entry points in Salt Valley and Willow Springs were
discussed. Councilmember Jones expressed his interest in taking imminent action on support
letters or resolutions. Dillon stated that Elaine Gizler, head of the Moab Area Travel Council,
needs 18 months' notice to implement any change. Councilmember Paxman stated he was
already taking 2020 reservations at his business to transport visitors to the Park, and it was
pointed out his business would be exempt from the reservation system. Transit committee
member Michael Liss stated there was not enough information regarding the viability of a
shuttle. The manager of City Market, speaking as the President of the Chamber of Commerce,
stated that killing any growth in Moab could kill family livelihoods. Chairperson Clapper stated
that congestion is an area -wide problem and Councilmember Guzman -Newton called for
discussion between all land management agencies.
Update on the ongoing Land Use Code amendment process to address the City
and County moratoria prohibiting new land use applications or permits for
overnight accommodations: Levine provided an overview of progress on the moratoria. He
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explained that one issue to be resolved was about other new development not related to nightly
accommodations. He added standards must be developed if overlay zones were established, and
defining the boundaries of the zones is a first step. Councilmember Guzman -Newton
commented that the proposed boundaries need adjustment. Mayor Niehaus brought up related
community nodes that would define zones for neighborhood -scale mixed uses. Levine asked for
clarification from the councils regarding removing new lodging as a use by right across the
board. He added the consultants need clarification on the northern corridor. Redevelopment
rules were brought up and the consultants agreed to prepare a map showing all vested
properties. Councilmember Jones requested a task list for each council and asked about mixed -
use zones. Landmark consultant Mark Vlasik, who participated remotely, clarified the next steps
as removing use by right, considering alternatives for Thompson Springs and Cisco, developing
standards for eligible overlays in the north corridor and downtown while examining the
boundaries for those zones, and developing exemption language for existing short term rental
developments such as Rim Village and Entrada.
Mayor Niehaus moved to adjourn. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously and Chairperson Clapper adjourned the meeting at 4:18 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder
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