Sean Wharton, owner of The Gateway Grill in Kamas, was recently appointed to replace Jill Houston on the East Side Planning Commission.
The commission waited for the change to conduct its annual goal-setting retreat in the middle of April.
According to Summit County planner Adryan Slaght, one of the top items for discussion was the definition of a “lot of record.” Seemingly simple, the term applies to a piece of land recorded with the county.
But if an owner subdivides a parcel without seeking approval from the county, the divided piece of land is not a “lot of record.” This used to be common, Slaght said, as farmers would offer a corner of a field to someone wanting to build a house or a slice of a field to a neighbor to create a larger pasture.
If someone owns such a property, there is a process for applying to become a “lot of record.” This has been a complicated issue for the Planning Commission, Slaght said.
Another important issue to the commission is how to handle requests to renovate structures that do not conform to the code.
If a building does not conform to the county code, it is classified as “non-conforming.” Since the building is already out of code, it is difficult for owners to obtain permission to renovate, build additions, or in some other way change the structure.
Some commissioners have expressed concern that the county’s policy is too restrictive. If a renovation only impacts the interior of the structure, perhaps it does not warrant the county’s attention, Slaght explained.
“People are asking for a middle ground. They’re now trying to decide what’s fair,” he added.
The commission is also interested in examining the overall zoning on the East Side and how well it’s working.
The commission also looked at the infrastructure needs, long-term transportation plan, sewer needs and other issues that will impact the East Side in the future, he said.