Council advances land‑use revisions, tightens outdoor‑lighting rules and pursues wildfire preparedness plan

The Interlaken Town Council reviewed proposed land‑use code revisions and a consolidated outdoor‑lighting (dark‑skies) code during its May 5 meeting and scheduled a public hearing for June 17.

Staff explained that the draft Title 9 revisions reorganize procedural elements (building‑permit roles, planning‑commission responsibilities) to reflect how the town currently operates and to move technical details into clearer, enforceable language. The draft outdoor‑lighting code draws on models from Midway and Park City and sets limits intended to be actionable; staff said seasonal decorative lighting would be restricted from Nov.15 to Jan.15 and must be turned off from 11 p.m. to sunrise.

The council also discussed wildfire preparedness. Staff described a draft Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and said the town is required to have a CWPP under its cooperative agreement with the Wasatch Fire District. Jeremy Hale (county resource) has offered to help create an evacuation plan to align the town’s plan with county and state response plans.

Council members set the planning commission to meet May 20 to review revisions before the June public hearing. Staff emphasized the goal of producing enforceable, understandable code language rather than technical minutiae.

Members encouraged public review of the draft materials online and attendance at the planning commission meeting and the June hearing so residents can comment before the council acts.