Friends of Virgin, Inc.
P.O. Box 790005
Virgin, Utah 84779-0005
www.friendsofvirgin.com
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Our Purpose:
To promote the continued health, safety, security, beauty, and viability of the town of Virgin, Utah, through the combined efforts and talents of the individuals and entities herein known as the Friends of Virgin.  Though the Friends of Virgin differ dramatically in viewpoint and political affiliation, they unite here to assist in informing and educating local residents and decision-makers; promoting openness in the town government and free access to its records; and encouraging public input as well as its serious consideration by officials.
Board of Directors:
Lee Ballard, president
Adele Pincock, secretary
Sandra Grow, treasurer
Linda Collet, director
DRD Properties South, director
Jan Walker, director
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
First, we want to apologize to our readers for the long silence.  Not only did the usual hectic holiday schedule interrupt our flow, but the majority of our board members were unavailable for various reasons over the past few weeks.  This will be a short issue, but look for our newsletter to return to its usual format soon.  In any case, we want to thank our generous donors of the past year, and we hope you all had a great ending to 2003.
MEETING WATCH
Planning & Zoning, 12/4/03:  	
	After approving the November P&Z minutes, the board went on to discuss Southwest Stone, a company which quarries rock adjacent to the Sheepbridge Road on a BLM permit.  Members wondered who might be responsible for maintenance of the road impacted by Southwest Stone’s trucks, and it was decided the issue would be tabled and researched through the BLM before January’s meeting.  The Planning and Zoning meeting schedule for 2004 was then unanimously approved; meetings will continue to be on the first Wednesday of each month. A discussion of the Virgin Town Road Standards followed.  Chairman Allen Lee pointed out that private roads were not addressed in the new standards; concerns regarding width requirements, on-street parking, parking in planned unit developments and subdivisions, as well as emergency ingress and egress were debated.   The issue was tabled.  The proposed Congregate Living Facility Ordinance was recommended on to Town Council with minor changes.  Amendments to Virgin’s Commercial Zone description, which would remove residential uses in this district, were tabled for further discussion in January.  
Special Town Council, 1/7/04:  After the swearing in of John Grow and Bruce Densley, Gerald Buckner made his report of the town audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003.  Although some procedures used during that period are in need of correction to comply with state law (and, thus, balance adjustments will be required on certain accounts), no reportable conditions were disclosed by the audit, and no material instances of noncompliance were found.  [Progress has been made toward recovery from illegal practices used in previous years, but we continue to have some financial “challenges”, according to Buckner]
Planning & Zoning, 1/7/04:  
	A discussion of the impact of the BLM quarry (west of the Sheepbridge Road, beyond the bridge) on town-maintained roads led to assignments for boardmembers to make inquiries of the Attorney General and the ULCT as to what, if any, power the town has to recover costs.  Sandra Grow was granted a home occupation permit for Assist U2 Build, and Adele Pincock one for AP Mediation.  The commission tabled discussion of a new excavation permit process and new standards for private roads in town.  The question of whether to exclude residential uses from our commercial zone was discussed at some length.  Liaison John Grow announced that the Town Council was planning to adopt a pending ordinance resolution for amendment of the commercial zone, and would like the commission to look at removing all residential use and the catch-all ‘other uses’ item from the commercial zone description (Virgin Uniform Zoning Ordinance 20-3-12).
Although some present initially questioned such amendments, it was pointed out that residential use does not contribute substantially to the tax base as commercially zoned lands should, that the stated purpose of our commercial zone does not support its inclusion, and that allowing any residential use in non-residential zones will cause a conflict between our zoning ordinance and the new Congregate Living Facility ordinance.  Some members spoke out against allowing auto storage and wrecking yards along the highway, and it was suggested that hotels and motels would be better placed in the resort zone.  The item was tabled.  
GOINGS ON
Note that there are hearings on the evening of 1/28 to gather public input on the Congregate Living Facility Ordinance and the revised Subdivision Ordinance.  Copies are available at the Town Hall for your review, and the November FOVI newsletter includes a summary of the new CLF ordinance.  
UPCOMING EVENTS
Town Council Meeting; 1/28/04 at 7:00 pm (6:30 pm work meeting)
Public Hearing:  On Congregate Living Facility Ordinance and Commercial Zone amendments; 1/28/04
Planning & Zoning Meeting; 2/4/04 at 7:00 pm (6:30 pm work meeting),