Civic Role: Planners

Short Term Rentals
Short-term rentals (STRs) have become an important part of local government, but there are challenges.

General Plan Elements: Moderate Income Housing
A moderate income housing plan is a required element within a general plan per §10-9a-403 of Utah State Code (as amended). Every jurisdiction in Utah is required to have a moderate income housing plan.

Subdivision Amendments
The impact of subdivision amendments greatly affects municipalities; from right-of-ways to easements. To enhance the quality of life for residents, an understanding of the whys and hows for subdivision amendments can guide government officials towards making wise decisions.

Nonconforming Uses + Noncomplying Structures
Defined in §10-9a-103 of Utah State Code (as amended) a nonconforming use means a use of land that legally existed before its current land use designation; has been maintained continuously since the time the land use ordinance governing the land changed; and because of one or more subsequent land use ordinance changes, does not conform to the regulations that now govern the use of land.

Performance Guarantees
Performance guarantees are used to ensure or guarantee that construction, maintenance, or improvements are fulfilled as promised or expected.

Variances
Any person or entity desiring a waiver or modification of the requirements of a land use ordinance as applied to a parcel of property that they own, lease, or in which they hold some other beneficial interest may apply to the applicable appeal authority for a variance from the terms of the ordinance.

Land Use Authority
A land use authority is a person, group, or agency designated by the municipality to execute land-use regulations. Every municipality has one or more land use authorities. Land use authorities commonly include the Planning Commission, the City/Town Council, or other elected officials.

Annexation: Policy Plans + Municipal Process
Annexation is the formal process of incorporating additional property, previously part of an unincorporated county, into a municipality’s jurisdictional boundaries. The incorporation of this property into the existing municipality makes the new territory subject to the municipality’s various plans, codes, and ordinances.

Development Agreements
A development agreement is a contract between a local county or municipality and a private party (land owners or developer) that helps both parties work together throughout the development process for a specific development project. Land owners and developers like development agreements because they provide regulatory and political assurances during the development process that make projects more viable. These assurances pertain to development phasing, rules and regulations pertaining to the development of a specific property, critical infrastructure responsibilities and coordination, and more. Local counties and municipalities like development agreements because they are a way to incentivize development, promote economic growth, and ensure that proposed development is in compliance with adopted rules and regulations and the overall vision of the community.