The full commission was in attendance for the irregular Kane County Commission Meeting on October 15, 2024, having been delayed by a convention on the regular commission day the previous week. The agenda was dense, but many of the items were, as described by Land Use Authority Shannon McBride, “just tidying up some things,” and as a result the meeting proceeded relatively smoothly through the agenda.
Following the regular opening procedures (and a brief song in recognition of the birthday of Southern Utah News reporter Ty Gant, yours truly), the meeting proceeded into the public comment session. The public comment period heard three citizens, the first of whom invited the commission to her family property to add context to her appeal of refusal of a permit that would have allowed her regular family reunion on the property. The following two were Johnson Canyon area locals, protesting the approval of the Kanab 600 LLC’s Willow Reserve preliminary plat.
The first action item on the agenda in earnest was a conservation report from the Kane County Conservation District, which serves dual functions as agricultural representatives and weed control collaborators for the County. The representatives of the district reported on a shared CWMA with Garfield County for weed control and management, detailed grants for agricultural equipment for soil health and materials and reported on their efforts to meet with similar bodies and prepare initiatives for the state legislature. Said Commissioner Heaton, “I don’t know of another district that gets more out of the support they get from the county, they wring every drop of value out of every dollar, they do untold amounts of good for our county.” McBride added, “The state is realizing how important these groups are … the state is mandating counties work with them and put ag protection zones into our general plan.”
The following item on the agenda addressed the renewed proposal of the preliminary plat and development agreement of Willow Reserve Estates with Kanab 600 LLC. This item has been on the agenda before, and has been discussed and altered in multiple commission meetings up to this point. Following a series of discussions of legal obligations contained within the development agreement regarding what would happen if ownership of the development should change, McBride confirmed the planning and zoning board had recommended a positive recommendation. As such, the Commission unanimously approved the preliminary plat and site plan.
The following series of items were quick, simple discussions of zone changes around the County, including the Kanab 160 LLC, Hidden Canyon and the Chamberlain Ranch properties. Each change was approved unanimously, with McBride describing the changes as “within the general plan.” Commissioner Heaton expressed concern that some of these zones were within the area currently covered by the extended fire protection agreement with Kanab City, and would therefore be relying on a long term structural fire solution in the near future. The commission heard a proposal from County Roads Director Bert Harris to purchase a gravel pit within county boundaries. Said Harris, “It’s what we call a replenishing gravel source … as it rains and floods it collects gravel that washes down … over the long haul I think this would be a good investment in the future of the canyon.” The commission approved Harris’ request for a $60,000 proposal to the gravel source’s current owner.
The next item on the agenda finalized the update to Church Wells’ SSD, removing sewer and adding road maintenance to the SSD’s responsibilities.
Commissioner Kubeja presented a resolution for the county to support Operation Green Light For Veterans, put on by the National Association of Counties, asking the county to install green lights as a gesture of support for veterans around Veterans Day. Kubeja stated, “If nothing else, we can light up the Kanab Center green … if anyone wants to join, grab a green lightbulb for your porch.” The initiative will begin lighting up November 6 through 11; the commission voted to approve unanimously.
The commission then detailed some cooperative efforts between Kane County and the US Forest Service on directing camping along the Uinta Flats area. Said Commissioner Meyeres, “We were a little skeptical that they wanted to shut down camping and take away a historical use … but when we looked through, it was a net gain in campsites and allowing more dispersed camping in the greater area.” The commission expressed their pleasant surprise at the communication and collaboration shown by the Forest Service and BLM, with Heaton stating, “I think by and large the public is getting tired of not being able to use public lands, and whenever we have discussions like this people’s fangs come out … but it’s been refreshing to have these guys cooperate with us.”
The Commission also began preparations for some fencing along the county right of way toward the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Said Commissioner Meyeres, “We expect there will be a significant amount of traffic redirected on that route in 2026, so we’re pushing to get the road ready for that … as we improve the road and make it more drivable, people will go faster and we will have increased traffic on it, so we’re asking ‘what can we do to keep livestock off the road?’ Because a high-speed impact with cattle can be fatal.” A representative of the Bureau of Land Management called in, stating, “There’s somewhere between five and ten head of cattle hit on that road every year. With current speeds I’m not aware of any individuals that have been critically injured … But as we improve the roads, I see increased potential for someone to get hurt.” The commission discussed potential avenues for funding a fence to keep cattle from the roads.
Following that, the commission reviewed a brief and approved some adjustments for the Board of Equalizations, reviewed some legislative reports, then adjourned.
