Planning commission recommends Wildland-Urban-Interface map to town council

The Castle Valley Planning & Land Use Commission voted to recommend that the town council adopt a Wildland-Urban-Interface map under Utah House Bill 48, directing staff to prepare a color-coded map and accompanying descriptive text for state submission. The commission framed the map as designating all properties within the town boundary that are not part of the Castle Valley River Ranch platted subdivision as WUI, with specific reference to Greenbelt lots to ensure undeveloped parcels are captured.

The motion to recommend the map was made by Jeff (mover) and seconded by Janie; the commission carried the motion on a roll-call vote. During discussion commissioners clarified that the map should rely on existing land-use base maps and include a written description (the descriptive text will accompany parcel/lot references) to meet state requirements. Commissioners also discussed whether to use county parcel numbers or subdivision lot numbers for non-platted parcels and agreed the descriptive text and a color-coded map together would be sufficient for the state submittal.

Members discussed the Greenbelt area along the creek and identified Lot 368 through Lot 372 as the specific lots to reference when preparing the map; commissioners noted some creekside properties are described by county parcel numbers rather than subdivision lot numbers and instructed staff to reconcile those in the map. The commission emphasized that design and accuracy should be adequate for the state process but that the written description is the most important legal element.

Next steps: staff will prepare the map and narrative for the town council; the commission recommended forwarding its draft language as presented for council consideration. The commission did not finalize the General Plan at this meeting; that topic was tabled for a future session.