By Julie Johansen
The Castle Dale City Land Use Committee conducted two public hearings at its October meeting on Thursday evening, both of which were for zoning change requests within the city.
Karon Williams desired to change 500 North Esquire Parkway from R1-8000 to Mobile Home Park. This parcel of land is located on the south side of her residence and the corner of Esquire Estates. She would like to move her daughter’s family’s mobile home from the mobile park to her property by her home. The property is contiguous with the mobile home park on the west side. All public comments were in the affirmative and the council voted unanimously to recommend this change to the Castle Dale City Council.
Susan and Doug Ehler made the next request to change 760 North Center Street from R1-8000 to Central Commercial. Susan explained that they have plans to make the Fielder home into a drive-up specialty drink/coffee and snack kiosk. They had changed their original plan of using the same egress for in and out to one ingress and another egress in order to increase traffic safety on the busy Center Street. They plan to provide employment as well as increase eatery opportunities in Castle Dale, especially for high school students.
Comments included concern for added traffic congestion and spot zoning. Many were excited for the new business place to eat lunch, especially within walking distance of the high school. Questions included why they were not using one of the vacant buildings downtown. They answered that they are continuing a family legacy of support for the high school and the city by building on their family property. Susan also commented that she has been talking about this for three or more years with Castle Dale City Mayor Danny Van Wagoner and the time now seems right.
A large group of supporters made comments to the council. The council voted to make the recommendation for the zoning change to the city council with a conditional use included regarding any future sale of the property.
Two other businesses on the agenda did not attend the meeting, so following some small land use concerns presented to the council by zoning administrator Kerry Lake, a motion to adjourned was made and passed.