Toquerville adopts state-required Wildland-Urban Interface boundary over dissent

The Toquerville City Council voted to adopt the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) boundary required under state law (HB 48) after a presentation by Hurricane Valley Fire District staff.

Dave Hermon reported fire-district statistics and explained the WUI concept to the council: "there had been 4,090 calls year to date. Of those calls, 75.9% were EMS-related, 21.3% were other calls, and 2.8% were fire-related." Hermon explained that the WUI is an area where structures and human development meet wildland areas and reviewed the fees that would be assessed to homes located within the High-Risk WUI Map; the record does not specify fee amounts.

Council members asked questions about mitigation, enforcement, and the potential burden on homeowners constructing new homes who would be required to comply with WUI-code requirements. Councilman Wayne Olsen expressed concern about the net benefit of the WUI designation to the City; the council discussed appeal rights and the state’s appeal process. Councilman Todd Sands moved to adopt the WUI map proposed by the City Manager; Councilwoman Jenny Chamberlain seconded. The motion passed 4–1 (Olsen opposed).