The Snowflake Town Council renewed a special use permit last week to allow the operation of the Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church Swap Meet at 1655 S. Main St.
Zoning Administrator Dale Call explained that in 1999, the church requested the first special use permit for the swap meet, which is renewed every five years.
Bonnie Myers presented the request at the April 5 Snowflake Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, stating that the persons previously managing the swap meet had moved on and the new management is committed to operating in full compliance with the rules and conditions established by the town council.
Previously there had been an issue with a few vendors selling new, retail items, but that has been addressed, and vendors have been advised that they must obtain a town business license and collect sales tax.
Call said that several members of the public spoke in support of allowing the church to continue operation of the swap meet, and no one spoke in opposition to it, but one person spoke against the town requiring a business license, because many of the vendors were very poor and the swap meet is vital to providing sufficient income for them to live.
The commission recommended approval of the special use permit renewal in a 4-0 vote.
“From my office standpoint, there has been very little effect on the community,” said Call as he recommended approval by the council for at least the traditional five years.
Mayor Tom Poscharsky expressed concerns regarding traffic due to a fatality that occurred in front of the swap meet and potential accidents. He had discussed traffic flow with Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Larry Scarber and asked him to report his findings.
Chief Scarber said that following the discussion with Mayor Poscharsky, and with his concerns about potential accidents, Town Attorney Robert Hall was asked to review the town ordinance in search of solutions. The chief explained that there are two town ordinances that permit the police department to require right turns only, so the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department will put up temporary signs requiring right turns only during swap meet hours.
Because this was not an action item on the agenda, Mayor Poscharsky asked the chief to look into putting up signs, and moved to approve renewal of the special use permit for the Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church Swap Meet. The motion passed unanimously.
In other business, Call presented a request for a rezone from Agricultural 5 Acre (AG) to residential 2 Acre (R2A) on property owned by Robert Hipps, located at 58 S. Savage St. This will allow Hipps to meet the code that allows one residence per lot so he can construct a home on one parcel, and his son will be able to construct a home close to his on the other parcel. There was no opposition at the April 5 planning and zoning commission hearing, but one person spoke in favor of the zone change. The commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the request. Ordinance 16-01 was read by title only, and was approved by the council unanimously.
Call also presented a request from Daniel Bowers to rezone his property at 188 S. Freeman Hollow Road from AG to R2A. He would like to split the property in half so the portion of his property that does not contain the new home would be unencumbered by any financial institution that may be used for the construction of a new home. There was no opposition at the April 5 planning and zoning commission hearing, and the commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the request. Ordinance No. 16-02 was read by title only and approved by the council unanimously.
