Castle Dale approves short term rentals

Castle Dale City hosted a public hearing on an ordinance for short term rentals. Kerry Lake introduced the Ordinance drafted by the Land Use Committee. One item that was in the ordinance was that a Short Term Rental had to be 300 feet or more from an existing short term rental. It wasn’t clarified how this distance was going to be measured.
Fern Oliver was concerned about parking. Her neighborhood already has no parking allowed on her street, but people still park there occasionally. It is not enforced.
Becky Johnson was concerned about how long a renter could stay. Could a short term rental turn into a long term rental? Lake stated the ordinance requires off street parking for all guests at the short term rental.
There is no ordinance regulating long term rentals. It is up to the property owner. Parking violations could be reported to the City’s Code Enforcement Officer.
The Council discussed renting a single room in a house as a boarder. Kerry Lake stated that the Development Code does not allow that, and any use not specifically allowed is prohibited.
Council Member Julie Johansen noted there are four short term rentals approved in the City and there will be more. Council Member Barnett thought that the market would regulate it, and there wouldn’t be very many. In any case it would be good, because the property would be maintained.
The new ordinance was approved by Barnett, Dorsch, Giles and Weaver and Johansen voted against the ordinance.
Mayor Van Wagoner thanked Kerry Lake and the land use Committee for their work on this ordinance.
Lake reported, “In our latest Land Use Committee meeting, we granted one short term rental approval, with the stipulation that they would follow this ordinance when it is approved. We now have three short term rentals in residential neighborhoods, We also discussed the Temporary Land Use ordinance by the City Council and are not opposed to this.”
Jared Lofthouse on Code Enforcement reported he contacted one resident on garbage and other refuse on the property. It should be resolved in a week. The Door Hangers I use are a warning and I use them only if I can’t contact the resident.
The Council clarified that vehicles illegally parked in the Day Subdivision are enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer. Lofthouse noted that he contacted the Sheriff’s Office about ownership of trailers parked on City streets. They would not give him ownership information from the trailer’s license plates. Councilmember Johansen said she would bring up this matter in her next LEPC meeting. There were two trailer citations, and one was resolved.
Fire Chief Arrien presented the Cooperative Agreement with the State Of Utah. It divides the County into eight areas with a City responsible for each area. It has the State assuming the cost of fighting wildland fires in those areas. Two of the Cities in the County have signed the agreement. Chief Arrien sees no downside to signing it. It is a five year contract, with an opt out clause on each anniversary of the adoption. The Fire Department had a random drug test last month and all members tested passed. The Grant from the State was denied due to lack of funds.
The City Park Pavilion and rest rooms have a new roof. Now that the Fair and Rodeo are over, we will start working on the Climbing Wall and Salmon Ladders.
Council Member Giles said the retaining wall on 200 North that was postponed will be done this year. Cleveland City gave up a project and freed up funds for that wall.
David Church, Attorney with the ULCT answered the question about donations from the City. The law is there is no requirement for labor or trade for a donation. The City needs to have a line item in the budget for donations, and if there isn’t, then the Council has to have a public hearing for each donation.
Giles reported there is an ongoing dispute with Mine Hydraulics about a water leak that caused damage after the building was no longer in use. The owner claims that he sent in a notice to turn the water off with his utility payment. The office staff has not seen any notice to turn the water off.
The City office is assembling a file on information for this matter. Council Member Weaver informed the Council about a dog owner who asked for relief on a dog fine. It was denied. Council Member Johansen said she attended the 25,000 jobs in 25 counties program at the Courthouse, and thinks it will be a good thing for our area.
Council Member Barnett has a new assistant for Youth City Council. It is Donna Cramer. The Youth City Council will start soon.