By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council addressed several zoning concerns during the first scheduled meeting of April.
The first zoning issue was a public hearing to rezone 575 Robinson Street from R-1 residential to B-1 zoning, a business designation for local shopping.
“The property is in a residential district but, according to the comprehensive plan, is in a mixed-use residential area,” explained Maranda Nolen, Planning and Zoning Director for the city. “The property is not a residential property,” she said.
Nolen said her department thought the request was appropriate and supported the rezoning. The Planning and Zoning Committee supported the rezoning by a 6-1 vote. She said the building was previously used as a paint business and was operating as a business before current zoning regulations designated the property as residential.
The owner is seeking to sell the property and feels the rezoning will help market the building to more potential buyers. The council unanimously approved the request to rezone the property.
The second zoning amendment request was presented by Nolen to accommodate virtual schools in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 business districts in the city. She said a virtual academy was granted a special exception to operate for one year by the board of adjustments and the amendment would add language to zoning ordinances to allow it to continue. The amendment would permit virtual schools to continue operating by special exception.
No one spoke in objection to the proposal and the motion was unanimously approved.
The council heard a discussion on a third zoning amendment regarding RV and camper parking in the city.
“In our zoning ordinance in our parking regulations we had a line that said it says ‘in no instance shall a camper or recreational vehicle be connected to power, water or sanitary facilities or used as a dwelling in a residential district,’” said Nolen.
She said current residential regulations can already be used to enforce rules preventing campers from being used as dwellings but the current language was problematic for RV owners who store campers at home and connect to electricity at their residence.
The council adopted the proposal to amend the language in the zoning regulations.
In other business, the council approved the following measures:
- A resolution to add a two-year extension to a rental/lease tax collection service with Avenu.
- A resolution to install speed breakers on Spring Street.
- Approved the appointment of Mike Ennis as chaplain.
- Approved a contract with Protec Recycling for an electronics recycling day.
- Approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with Leasing 2, Inc. for the financing of a new fire truck. The purchase of a new truck was approved in a previous session.
The council also discussed a sewer contract with CDG Engineers to address groundwater infiltration in the sewer systems. Consideration of the contract was moved to the next regular session, scheduled for April 19, to allow council members more time to study the contract.
After moving into a lengthy executive session to discuss potential legal matters, the council returned to the chamber and adjourned.