Council adopts two east-side development-code changes: limits on contractors�yards and flexible rules for off-site event parking

The Summit County Council held public hearings and adopted two amendments to the Eastern Summit County Development Code on Sept. 13.

Ordinance 965 creates specific rules for contractors' yards on the east side of the county in response to recurring problems: a 2-acre maximum for yards, a 300-foot buffer from many residences, screening requirements, dust and mud mitigation, maintenance pads to prevent oil and contamination from seeping into the ground, and prohibitions on burning and waste disposal. Ray from planning explained the rules are intended to allow contractors to operate while protecting nearby residents and environmental resources. The planning commission recommended removing AG-5 and commercial zones from allowed areas for this use.

Ordinance 966 establishes a conditional-use pathway for off-site parking lots for event centers, guest ranches and lodges. The original language proposed a 30,000-square-foot cap and standards for paving, setbacks, routing and prohibitions on long-term parking or waste storage. Public commenters and council members urged the code allow temporary or permeable solutions rather than mandatory asphalt. Mike Phillips (Blue Sky Ranches) said his organization prefers gravel or other nonpaved options for temporary overflow parking and noted practical site management advantages.

After discussion the council adopted Ordinance 966 with explicit changes: (1) allow pervious/permeable surfaces (examples listed such as gravel or stabilized turf) or equivalent products approved by the county engineer; (2) require a drainage plan to be reviewed by the county engineer to manage runoff from any surfacing; and (3) revise grade standards to give flexibility (council language narrowed minimum average/maximum grades to a minimum of 0.5%, average limit ~8%, maximum ~10% while requiring drainage review). The council gave staff discretion to allow alternative materials when the county engineer approves them.

Both ordinances were adopted following the public hearings and will be implemented through planning and permitting processes; staff noted existing lawful uses will be grandfathered while unpermitted operations will continue to be subject to code enforcement.