Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hurricane City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Surplus Land Disposal
The city is considering labeling several parcels along 700 West Street as surplus so they can be disposed of. Residents can weigh in on what happens to these municipal properties.
Claims Against the City Code Amendment
Hurricane City updated its municipal code regarding how legal and financial claims against the city are handled and processed. Residents and legal claimants need to be aware of the revised rules detailed in Ordinance 2026-24.
Industrial Expansion
An applicant is asking the city to rezone light industrial property to heavy industrial so they can build a modern concrete batch plant. Neighbors and council members are weighing the economic benefits and modern dust-control tech against potential negative impacts.
Neighborhood Traffic and Safety
A local resident raised concerns during public comment about a recent firearm incident in a residential neighborhood and requested administrative follow-up.
Sky Mountain PDO Density and Infrastructure
Residents and commissioners raised concerns over a proposed density increase for the Sky Mountain development, pointing to traffic congestion, road construction delays on 2800 West, sewer capacity, stormwater runoff, and weed management.
Land Use and Zoning Changes
A proposal to change the zoning designation of a portion of parcel H-362 from RA-1 to R1-10, impacting future residential development potential.
Strawberry Field Estates Subdivision
A developer is proposing a large 108-lot single-family subdivision spanning phases 3 through 6 near Bash Parkway and Gateway Boulevard.
Desert's Edge at Sky Mountain Subdivision Engineering Challenges
Perry Homes is asking to update the master plan and increase the number of allowable units in the gap between existing Sky Mountain neighborhoods. This changes the overall density from what was originally approved back in 2003.
Street Slurry Seal Debris Complaints
Residents complained about excessive loose gravel left on streets after recent slurry seal applications, causing gravel to track into homes and yards. Streets staff explained the stones require vehicle traffic and heat to settle properly.
New Municipal Campus Financing
Hurricane is borrowing up to $27 million through lease revenue bonds to build a brand-new police station and city hall. City leaders say existing savings and the sale of the old police station will cover about half the cost, meaning no property tax hikes.
Sky Mountain Substation Civil Construction Bid
The city is moving forward with the civil construction phase of the Sky Mountain Substation, selecting Diamond W Construction following an independent engineering review. Completing this work is vital for accommodating future electrical demand and transformer installations.
Road Abandonment of 2460 West
The city is reviewing a request to abandon a portion of 2460 West, which affects local travel routes, property access, and public right-of-way management. Residents and council members discussed the pros and cons of relinquishing public control over this roadway segment.
New City Hall and Police Station CMGC Selection
Hurricane is moving forward with a major civic construction project at 974 W. 100 N. to replace outdated municipal buildings. The new campus will house both City Hall and the Police Department, featuring multi-story hillside construction and ample room for future community growth.
Bench Lake Master Plan General Plan Amendment
A large-scale master plan proposal for over 500 acres along the SR-7 corridor aims to blend residential neighborhoods, open space, and light industrial uses. Commissioners debated whether mixing industrial spaces into walkable village designs could create conflicts with future homeowners or threaten the city's long-term industrial job base.
Sky Mountain Golf Course Clubhouse Remodel
The city approved a $2.62M contract with Bonneville Builders to remodel and expand the Sky Mountain Golf Course clubhouse, which has not been updated since 1994. The project is fully funded by golf course savings without municipal bonding.
Pole Attachment Agreement and Fee Updates
The city is overhauling its pole attachment rules and raising annual fees from $10 to $20 per pole to match neighboring cities and better regulate communication lines.
Secondary Water Expansion and Rate Structure
Hurricane City is moving forward with filling its North Pond and developing new wells like Gould's Wash and Scott Ranch to improve local water reliability and add irrigation capacity.
Hanger 13 South Lease Renewal
The board reviewed the lease renewal for Hanger 13 South held by David Houston to ensure proper management of airport property.
Airport Infrastructure and Utility Planning
Final Design Group wants to build four new airplane hangars at Plot 49, but the project needs to wait for a city utility master plan and soils testing to ensure adequate infrastructure.
Grid Reliability and Infrastructure
The city is wrapping up major electrical upgrades like the Capacity 2.0 project to relieve heavily loaded circuits and improve overall reliability. Staff also reviewed recent outage causes, such as wildlife interference and aging infrastructure replacements.
UAMPS Power Supply Costs and Transmission Expenses
The board reviewed Hurricane City's diverse energy mix, including hydro, solar, coal, and natural gas resources managed through UAMPS. Staff discussed cost trends, market pricing under EDAM, and future generation projects.
Flood Recovery and Infrastructure
The city is planning intersection improvements at 700 West and 400 South using a double roundabout design that also optimizes box culvert sizing for flood control.
Airport Drainage and Flood Mitigation
Board members discussed deteriorating pavement on apron spurs and settling storm drains that threaten aircraft and hangars, proposing city-owner cooperation on crack sealing.
Power Outage Response
Hurricane Priscilla is headed our way, and the city is warning us to prep for potential flooding. Keep your phone handy for local alerts and make sure your home is ready for heavy rain.
Wildland-Urban Interface Code Adoption
The city adopted the Wildland-Urban Interface Code under Utah state law to help address safety and building standards in fire-prone areas. This affects property owners in areas bordering wildlands by establishing new development and safety rules.
Civil Penalty Code Updates
The city updated sections of its municipal code regarding civil penalties, changing how code violations and fines are handled. This impacts residents and businesses by clarifying enforcement and penalty structures.
Ultra-Efficiency Development Standards
The water board reviewed a regional conservation framework that limits new residential developments to 8,000 gallons per month, ultimately deciding to wait until demand increases before pursuing adoption.
Residential Density Increase
The commission debated whether to allow duplexes in single-family neighborhoods to increase housing options, balancing the need for affordable housing against protecting traditional neighborhood character.
Storm Drain Utility Fee Increase
The city is updating its storm drain master plan and adjusting monthly drainage utility fees for residents. These changes affect local infrastructure planning and utility billing.
Airport Consultant RFQ Review Committee
The city is picking a committee to review applications for a new airport consultant.
Hangar Lease Termination at Plot 50
Steve Lemmon asked to cancel his lease for plot 50 because he's tired of paying for dirt he can't build on while waiting for city utility plans.
Industrial Land Use
Two separate zone change requests proposed reclassifying residential-agricultural parcels to manufacturing zoning.
Vacation Rental Regulations
The city is looking at how to better manage vacation rentals in residential areas. This could mean stricter rules for owners and new parking requirements to keep streets clear.
Exit 19 Infrastructure Improvements
Hurricane City Council just approved a new power line project, but residents are already raising concerns about how it will affect their neighborhoods. If you live in the area, you should check the city's maps to see if these lines are coming to your backyard.
Election Administration
Hurricane officials are pushing to ditch machines and hand-count every ballot for the 2024 election. It’s a major shift that could slow down results and spark a big debate over accuracy and transparency.
Municipal Leadership
Hurricane’s new mayor is shaking things up by actually listening to residents instead of keeping City Hall behind closed doors. It’s a major pivot toward transparency that aims to make local government feel a lot more accessible.
Elections
Election season is officially here in Hurricane, and it’s time to vet the candidates running for City Council. Don't sit this one out—get to know who's on the ballot so you can vote for the future of your neighborhood.
FAA Review of Airport Rules and Regulations
The airport received a letter from the FAA questioning certain rules and regulations regarding aircraft operations and noise abatement. Staff and the city attorney are reviewing the wording to ensure compliance without imposing mandatory restrictions.
Hangar 7 S 3 W Lease Transfer and Paving
Paul Mona is purchasing hangar 7 S 3 W and requested a lease transfer along with permission to pave from the tarmac to fix rock and prop-strike issues at his own expense. The airport board voted to recommend the lease transfer to the City Council.
AWOS Installation and Regional Air Traffic Management
Hurricane Airport is seeing an increase in flight operations due to taxiway and airport closures in St. George. Staff also provided updates on utility layout plans and hangar pad elevation surveys.
Short-Term Rental Regulations and Licensing
The city proposed updates to how whole-home vacation rentals renew business licenses and handle required parking.
Underground Utility Standards and Meter Heights
The power board updated underground utility standards, setting strict height limits for meters and electrical disconnects to meet safety codes and ensure easy access for linemen.
Power Outage Management
Hurricane City Power just snagged a national award for being super reliable and keeping things safe. It’s a nice win that proves our local, city-run utility actually knows what it’s doing.
Fireworks Regulation
City officials weighed public celebrations for the nation's 250th anniversary against extreme wildfire risks and strained emergency resources. Police and fire chiefs urged a complete ban on personal fireworks, noting that local crews are stretched thin battling major blazes across the state.
Storm Drain Impact Fee Facilities Plan and Analysis
Hurricane City is considering a new storm drain impact fee facilities plan and analysis to help fund necessary infrastructure improvements. This fee structure impacts new development by establishing the costs associated with storm water management.
Employee Compensation and Retention
The city is looking at a 4.5% pay increase to keep up with inflation and stay competitive with neighboring cities like St. George and Washington.
2026-2027 Municipal Budget
The city is planning its spending for the next year. This budget will determine funding for city services and projects.
Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration
Board members discussed Utah's participation in a federal program to promote electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Officials explored potential manufacturing opportunities, workforce training, and grant funding for Southern Utah.
Hangar 3 Relocation and Lease Terms
The board debated whether the city should fund the relocation of Hangar 7 South 3 West to improve airfield visibility and create transient tie-down space. Members noted that the hangar's steel rails are embedded in concrete, making the move far more difficult and expensive than expected.
Sign Ordinance Update
The city is looking at changing the rules for signs. This could impact how businesses advertise and what kind of signs are allowed in neighborhoods.