Planning commission recommends temporary permit allowing two RVs for Ellsworth family; sends recommendation to county commissioners

The Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 10 to recommend approval of a hardship temporary-use permit that would allow two recreational vehicles to be used as temporary sleeping units on property owned by Lisa and Robert Adams, where applicants Shane and Andrea Ellsworth live with their children.

Staff recommended approval (Recommendation 26601) with three conditions: the permit be specific to applicants Shane and Andrea Ellsworth and their children and limited to two RVs for sleeping; generators be prohibited; and the applicants continue to use the primary dwelling’s sanitary and kitchen facilities to avoid on-site black-water disposal. Staff told commissioners the county’s 2015 Sweetwater County zoning resolution permits one temporary dwelling in residential zones and that the request exceeded that baseline, so the commission’s action hinges on those specified conditions.

Andrea Ellsworth, the applicant, told the commission she, her husband and children live on her mother’s property and that her husband requires oxygen and cannot lie flat, which makes two separate sleeping units necessary. "I don't have enough room because Benjamin sleeps on the kitchen table," she said, describing the family’s need for short-term stability while her husband recovers.

Adjacent residents spoke at the hearing. One nearby neighbor said earlier there appeared to be more occupants and campers on the property than the applicants now describe and voiced concern about nonfamily occupants. "We have no problem with the daughter and son-in-law staying there, but all the other occupants that were there — that's where we were having our issues," the neighbor said.

Cora Botello, who lives at 5 Rams Head, told the commission she had seen prior problems at the neighboring lot, including drug activity and poor hygiene, and said she supports the Ellsworth family but wants to ensure the property remains clean. "Everybody has hard times and needs help once in a while. But I just want to make sure everything is ... clean right now," Botello said.

Commissioners discussed adding language to the permit tying authorized occupancy specifically to the applicants and their children and clarifying that two trailers would be allowed. A motion to approve public hearing No. 1 with the stated conditions was made, seconded and carried; the oral vote recorded at least one commissioner as "opposed," but the transcript does not contain a complete roll-call tally. The commission noted its recommendation will be forwarded to the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners for final action at the June 16 meeting.

If approved by the county commissioners, staff said the temporary hardship exception would be valid for one year and renewable annually upon submission of medical documentation that the need continues. Staff emphasized the permit is intended for family care use only and not for rental or commercial occupancy.

The commission also identified enforcement expectations — prohibiting generators and requiring use of the primary dwelling’s sanitary facilities — to limit nuisance impacts and avoid grey/black water discharge onto the property. The county staff reported multiple site visits and described the property as well maintained at the time of inspection.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation goes to the Board of County Commissioners on June 16 for the county’s final decision.