The Snowflake Town Council held its regular monthly meeting on April 3, issuing several proclamations and addressing requests for variances and special use permits. It was a full agenda and nearly two dozen community members were in attendance.
Boy Scout Ray Bigler from troop No. 7709 helped open the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Snowflake Planning and Zoning Director Dale Call presented two variance requests and two special use permits to the council for approval.
Call presented a request for a variance from local resident, Utahna Peterson. Peterson asked for a variance for a small addition to her home located at 943 S. Sunset Drive to operate a one chair salon. There are other businesses such as dental or medical offices in residential areas, so this request is not uncommon. Mayor Lynn Johnson inquired about parking at that residence. “Street parking is available there and I do not see that as a particular issue,” said Call.
Call also asked the council to vote on a variance requested by Mark Porter Caldwell. Caldwell requested a variance at 209 E. Tenth St. S. to waive the required 30-foot setback on the back of his property due to elevation and drainage issues. Caldwell is requesting a 10’ setback. The only adjacent property possibly affected by this variance is one vacant lot behind the property. Both variance requests were approved by the council.
Mountain Time Management requested approval of a special use permit. Mountain Time Management operates a medical marijuana cultivation facility on the north end of Snowflake adjacent to Highway 277. They have acquired an additional 20 acres and need to amend their existing special use permit to extend operations to that additional land.
“They intend to add on a 10,000 square-foot building for processing,” said Call. Mayor Lynn Johnson said, “I appreciate Mountain Time for cleaning up that area and they are doing a good job being good stewards and a good business.” The council voted unanimously to approve the special use permit.
The final presentation by Call included a special use permit requested by Everett Harvey. Harvey asked for permission to operate a birthing center in a residential zoned area. The center will be located at 461 W. Center St. and will offer mid-wife services, prenatal classes and a birthing facility. Initial estimates are that the center will deliver two to three babies per month.
The center location will maintain its residential appearance and ample parking is available. The center will be required to obtain an unclassified health care institute license, but approval of the special use permit must be obtained first. The council voted to approve this request.
The council also approved a call to election. This is an election year for the mayor position and three town council seats. Anyone who wishes to be a candidate for any of these positions can obtain an election packet at Town Hall. Candidate packets are available now. Petitions must be submitted between April 30 and May 30.
Adam Wolfe representing Navajo County presented information on the statewide adopted Ready, Set, Go program. The program offers prevention tips, preparation tips and evacuation recommendations in case of a wildfire or other natural disaster. “We are in an extreme drought this year,” said Wolfe.
It is suggested to have defensible space around homes, assemble a kit in advance with food, water and other necessities and if an evacuation is ordered, grab those items and any important documents and evacuate. For more information visit the Navajo County website.
The council signed proclamations declaring the month of April as Fair Housing Month, and Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. The council also proclaimed April 8-14 as National Library Week, April 27 as Arbor Day and April 16-21 as Week of the Young Child.
The next regular monthly Snowflake town council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, at Town Hall located at 81 W. First S. St.
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