General Plan. Committee Members: Councilman Alan Adams. Robert Bernhardi. Cindy Bulloch. Fred Carpenter. Vickie Hicks. Councilman Troy Houston

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1 General Plan Committee Members: Councilman Alan Adams Robert Bernhardi Cindy Bulloch Fred Carpenter Vickie Hicks Councilman Troy Houston Mayor Donald Landes Tawnya Mathews Michele Orton Gary Overson Kristen Robinson Adopted by Parowan City Council on October XX

2 INDEX Section 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Plan Creation 1.2 Community Characteristics Section 2.0 Community Design 2.1 City Image 2.2 Urban Forestry Section 3.0 Economic Development 3.1 Economic Development Committee 3.2 Travel and Tourism 3.3 Employment 3.4 Growth Section 4.0 Land Use 4.1 Annexation 4.2 Zoning 4.3 Land Use Section 5.0 Public Facilities and Services 5.1 Utilities - Culinary Water, Power, Sewer, Pressurized Irrigation, Solid Waste, Storm Drain 5.2 Water Development 5.3 County and Regional Services 5.4 Emergency Services 5.5 City Hall 5.6 Library 5.7 Cemetery 2

3 5.8 Theater 5.9 Fairgrounds 5.10 Historic Sites Section 6.0 Parks and Recreation 6.1 Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan 6.2 Community Activities 6.3 Trails 6.4 Community Pool Section 7.0 Transportation 7.1 Master Plan 7.2 Local/Regional 7.3 Street Maintenance 7.4 Airport Section 8.0 Housing 8.1 Moderate-Income Housing Plan 8.2 Housing Needs Section 9.0 Environment 9.1 Environment Attachment List 3

4 SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Plan Creation In March of 2014, Mayor Landes identified the existing General Plan as an area of concern that needed to be updated. Generally, general plan documents should be updated every 5 years. It has been 8 years in the case of Parowan. Parowan City Council agreed that this should be a priority and recommendations of individuals to serve on this committee were made by Mayor Landes. An extra effort was made for a diverse committee from various backgrounds, genders, experiences, and religious affiliations. This committee met as needed, sometimes each week, for a period of six months. The approach taken was to look at the existing general plan and alter and update it as the committee deemed necessary and relevant. Every effort was made by each committee member to include information for the betterment of Parowan, regardless of personal bias. After meeting for several months, Parowan City Staff began to write the General Plan. While most cities and towns in Utah hire professional consultants to write their General Plan, Parowan City Leaders felt we had the staff that could write the majority of the plan while incorporating comments from General Plan Committee Members and comments from the General Public. Public meetings to gauge community support and receive comments were held at the following times. Each meeting was held in the Parowan Public Library: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Although XXXXattendance commentxxxxx, these meetings proved fruitful in gaining public input on the plan. No member of this committee or staff member is a professional planner. Every effort for an honest and accurate vision for Parowan City was made by this committee. We affirm agreement with the facts, figures, and ideas presented in this document. We acknowledge that as soon as this document is approved it becomes out of date and therefore, frequent reviews and updates should be made to keep this document fresh. It is our hope this Parowan City General Plan will prove valuable for Parowan City Residents, Parowan City Staff, Parowan City Boards and Committees, and the Parowan City Council. 1.2 Community Characteristics 4

5 Parowan City is the Mother Town of Southern Utah. Settled in 1851 by pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as The Mormons, Parowan is known as the Mother Town because from this early settlement spawned many other communities in Southern Utah, Southern Nevada, Northern Arizona, and even Oregon and Colorado. Parowan is the county seat of Iron County. Although settled by Mormon pioneers, Parowan has been discovered as a mild summer climate by individuals of all religions and is a frequent escape of many desert dwellers in Washington County, Utah and the Las Vegas, Nevada area. Parowan sits at 6000 feet in elevation at the mouth of Center Creek Canyon on State Route 143 which is a National Scenic Byway, just 13 miles from the Brian Head Ski Resort. The 2010 United States Census Bureau indicates that the population of Parowan City is 2,890 people. Parowan City is a Tree City USA and operates under the Council-Mayor form of government. Although close to Cedar City, Parowan has its own unique identity. Tradition and a sense of small town are important to Parowan. Managing potential growth, visitors, and tourists while maintaining a small town feel remain one of Parowan s biggest challenges. Parowan has its own elementary (K-6) and high (7-12) schools. Parowan is growing slowly. There are concerns in the community that more people may be passing away than are moving in. The school district reports a decline in student enrollment over the past decade. For more information about specific population related factors, please visit the U.S. Census website at Currently, city officials have taken a pro-growth approach to community development, cutting and even in some cases completely refusing to collect impact fees on new commercial construction. Every effort is made to attract new business and each new business is evaluated separately. On a case by case business, certain incentives are granted to new businesses relocating to the area. Many residents, however, continue to meet day to day retail and commercial needs in larger communities such as Cedar City and St George. Parowan City has an active Economic Development Committee that meet on a monthly basis. A Land-Use map was adopted by the Parowan City Council in May of 2012 (see Attachment A). This map addresses future growth areas, annexation, and how city leaders would like to see the city grow. There is ample room for growth in Parowan including existing vacant building lots in various subdivisions throughout the community. Parowan has two Interstate 15 interchanges with very little current development around them besides the Travel Centers of America truck stop area with its associated businesses and fast food establishments. A major zoning effort took place in Parowan in XXXXXXXXX. This effort established many of the current zones and zoned areas today. The Parowan City Planning Commission are responsible for recommending the changing of Zoning, Land-Use, and Annexation issues and meet twice monthly. Parowan City, while still a town of under 3000 people, provide every public utility service except for natural gas including Power, Sewer, Culinary Water, Solid Waste, and even Pressurized Irrigation. The city has a Storm Drain System only along Main Street and does not have an established Storm Drain Department or charge a Storm Drain Fee. The entire Parowan City budget is currently just over 5

6 $6,000,000. There is an established and active Power Board, Airport Board, Theater Board, Planning Commission, Library Board, Shade Tree Committee, Economic Development Committee, Parks, Trails, Recreation, and Arts Committee, and Water Board that all meet at least monthly to advise staff and city council on issues related to the functions of each board. The city owns various buildings and land throughout the community including a Library, Animal Shelter, Public Pool, Public Works Yard, Airport, City Hall, Theater, Fairgrounds Building and Rodeo Arena, Visitor s Center, Cemetery, and approximately XXXXXXXX acres of unimproved land. Parowan City wide carries approximately $9,000,000 in total debt. For current details on this debt, please see Attachment B at the end of this document. Parowan City retains its own Police Department, Justice Court and has an all volunteer Fire Department. Parowan City Staff have received local and federal training on disaster management. An outdated Emergency Response plan was adopted in There are 4 traditional parks in Parowan including Lion s, Heritage, Downtown, and Priddy Meeks and many other historic monuments and markers. Events happen almost weekly in Parowan, especially during the summer. For a full list of events, visit Parowan is located along the Old Spanish Trail. A Trails Master Plan was established with federal grant funding in July of For more information about trails please reference this plan as Attachment C. This document serves as a supplement to the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan put together by the Parks, Trails, Recreation, and Arts committee. This document was adopted by Parowan City Council action in October of 2014 and can be found attached to this document as Attachment D. A Transportation Master Plan was adopted in 2002 and can be found attached to this document as Attachment E. The Main Street Revitalization project was completed in June of 2014 and included a $5,000,000 facelift to Main Street from 400 North to 200 South including storm drain, new curb, gutter, and sidewalk, a lower profile street with new asphalt, and lighting. State Route 143 was officially named a National Scenic Byway by the federal government in An Interpretive Master Plan for this road from Parowan to Panguitch through Brian Head was completed in 2014 and can be found attached to this document as Attachment F. Parowan City retains sufficient right-of-way easements along most of its roads for future expansion and utility location. Curb and gutter is rare in Parowan and the hit and miss aspect of this has caused water runoff problems in the past. Street funds are extremely limited and past procedures have included chip sealing various roads throughout the community each year. A Pavement Management Plan was adopted by Parowan City Council in December, 2014 and can be found attached to this document as Attachment G. The Parowan City Airport has minor daily traffic. Southern Utah University started a helicopter school in 2013 that has increased airport traffic. Prairie Dogs have proved a challenge to the Parowan City Airport and in 2012 an above-ground/underground barrier was constructed in an effort to keep the prairie dog from undermining the runway and other airport infrastructure. A twenty-year airport plan including Federal Aviation Administration funding plans was complete in the Fall of 2000 and can be found attached to this document as Attachment H. An affordable housing plan was adopted in 2011 and can be further inspected at the end of this document as Attachment I. Parowan has an active Historic Preservation Committee for the purpose of preserving historic and architecturally significant structures within the city. The historically preserved area is (1) 200 South, from 600 West to Main Street, (2) Main Street from 500 North to 200 South, (3) 6

7 Highway 143, East Center Street, from Main Street up to and including the Old Mill Road, and (4) the entire area bounded by 200 South, 200 North, 100 East and 100 West, enclosing an eight square block area. While most residents classify themselves religiously as Latter Day Saints, Parowan also contains several other popular churches including the Methodist, Baptist, and Grace Christian faiths. Environmental issues tend to be a low priority in Parowan. Sensitive species exist in this area - including the much maligned Utah Prairie Dog which until lately has been listed as a Threatened and Endangered species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Resources. Recent and ongoing court cases may eventually change this designation. Every effort is made by Parowan City to address environmental issues during day to day activities and during the course of projects that may disturb sensitive species or areas. Air quality is good in Parowan. Parowan City and local irrigation users are currently mining the aquifer which is of great concern to local individuals and state and local agencies. The Utah Geological Survey department of the State of Utah started a study in 2013 to better assess how much damage is being done to the aquifer and ways to mitigate this situation. 2.1 City Image SECTION 2.0 COMMUNITY DESIGN Main Street in Parowan had a major overhaul completed in Summer This rehabilitation project included a new road profile, storm drainage system, asphalt, curb, gutters, sidewalk, and street lights. Entrance to Parowan signs were also installed in 2014 at both the north and south entrances. The character of Parowan is considered much improved and these projects were many years in the making. The history and historical character of Parowan is extremely important to most residents. 2.2 Urban Forestry Urban Forestry is very important in Parowan City. Parowan has a very active Shade Tree Committee that meet on a monthly basis. This committee is made up of volunteers, one city council member, and one city staff member. The city also employs a Certified Arborist. A 10 year maintenance plan for street trees has been approved by the city council in Parowan City has been a Tree City USA community for more than a decade. SECTION 3.0 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3.1 Economic Development An Economic Development Committee was established in Parowan City in This committee is made up of up to 10 residents and community members of various backgrounds. Possible Economic Development Incentives were established by this committee and adopted by city council action in July of An Economic Development Matrix to assist city staff and council in applying these incentives fairly 7

8 was also established in July of The Economic Development Committee will continue to promote Parowan as a viable community for new and existing businesses. Parowan City recognizes infrastructure deficiencies in parts of the community. Development at both intersections is considered a top priority for Economic Development in Parowan City. Utilizing local contractors where able in city and area projects is considered a significant priority. 3.2 Travel and Tourism Travel and Tourism has been targeted as a crucial industry to the future of Parowan City. The relationship between Brian Head Town, Parowan City, and Brian Head Resort has never been better. Since nearly every person going to Brian Head must pass through Parowan, there is a unique opportunity to provide services that would cause resort and other patrons to stop in Parowan and frequent area businesses. Although this is happening already, this can be done more and in a better way. Parowan City will do everything it can to encourage businesses that cater and welcome tourists. 3.3 Employment Parowan City has placed employment of its residents as a top priority, understanding that steady growth and the well-being of area schools will require area employment. Although many residents work in Cedar City, Brian Head, and elsewhere, Parowan City places a strong emphasis in fostering a community where small, clean industry can thrive and employ area individuals. An active Chamber of Commerce meets on a monthly basis. 3.4 Growth Growth is considered a necessity to the future viability of Parowan City. Although city officials can do little to encourage or discourage growth, current leaders have a decidedly pro-growth vision. 4.1 Annexation SECTION 4.0 LAND USE Annexation in and around Parowan City takes place as requested by individual private property owners. An appropriate annexation area is identified on the approved Land Use Map (see Attachment A). By Parowan City Ordinance, any annexation and accompanying development must finance the extension of necessary municipal services such as utilities, road and other improvements, police and fire, and other capital improvements. Impact and Connection Fees will be established to provide for adequate expansion to city services. All annexations will meet city and state requirements. 4.2 Zoning Zoning is designed to promote a happy and healthy populace while balancing the rights of private property owners in doing with their property what they desire as long as it does not infringe on the 8

9 rights of others. Current zoning is deemed adequate while individual concerns are addressed by Planning Commission on an as-needed basis. Current Zoning Map can be viewed as Attachment L. 4.3 Land Use Land Use is characterized as the way that city leaders would like to see the area develop and grow. The principal guide to this end is the Land Use Map (Attachment A). As zone changes are proposed and annexations are requested, this map should be utilized as a guide to Planning Commission and City Council members on where these requests are appropriate and where they are not. SECTION 5.0 PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES 5.1 Utilities - Culinary Water, Power, Sewer, Pressurized Irrigation, Solid Waste, Storm Drain Culinary Water had a minor upgrade in 2010 with the upsizing and addition of waterlines throughout the city. Fire flows and other regulations, while not perfect, have been upgraded over the past 10 years to where citizens can consider their system above average and safe. The Culinary Water department is currently meeting its financial obligations and has a modest fund balance. Parowan City Power also participated in a major upgrade in A Power Rate Study was completed in 2014 and adopted by city council action. For more information about Parowan City Power, please reference this document included here as Attachment J. Parowan Power is currently meeting its financial obligations and has an adequate fund balance. Parowan City Sewer currently provides sewer services for both Parowan City and Brian Head Town. An agreement to this effect was signed in??????. Sewer services run through most of Parowan with approximately 85%??? of all residents connected to the sewer system. This system is run with gravity flows and feeds XXX sewer cells located in the west valley at approximately 2200 West and 2200 North????. Consideration should be given to the capacity of these cells and to this end a land application process takes place each Spring as needed to lower cell levels in order to handle yearly intake. Solutions to cell capacity should be addressed within the next 20 years. Some solutions may include adding capacity (cells) or reducing affluence by encouraging Brian Head to treat their own waste. There is property to build two more cells for added capacity when appropriate. Currently the sewer system has a modest fund balance. Pressurized Irrigation is currently over allocated in connections and most summers struggles to provide enough water and in some instances pressure for all users. Of the last five summers, well water to supplement the system had to be used four of these years. There currently is a moratorium on new connections to this system. A tiered fee system was established in this fund in 2013???? with fee amounts depending upon connection size. This fund currently has very little by way of fund balance. Solid Waste is collected on Wednesday and Thursday each week. Although this fund is small, it is currently meeting its needs. The first and only truck purchased for this department will be paid off in 2015 which should help this fund to be more healthy. This fund is currently not meeting its needs and 9

10 should be evaluated over the next few years to see how the truck being paid off affects the budget and if that is enough to stay off an increase in fees in this department. Currently a Storm Drain Fee is not collected by Parowan City. There are storm drains in Main Street but no other parts of town have an established storm drain system. A Storm Drainage Master Plan was completed in 2012 which called for many improvements to flood control and suggested the use of swells in Parowan City Rights-Of-Way as opposed to a formal storm drainage system. This Storm Drain Master Plan can be found as Attachment K. 5.2 Water Development Currently Parowan City has a Water Master Plan that was completed on XXXXXXX. For details about water shares and water development in Parowan, please consult the most recent Water Plan. 5.3 County and Regional Services Iron County retains several facilities in Parowan City for the betterment of Parowan residents as well as those residents of Brian Head, Paragonah, and the north part of unincorporated Iron County. These facilities include a Senior Citizen Center at XXX North 300 East and the Iron County Courthouse at XXX South 100 East. The Parowan location of the Iron County landfill is located at XXXXX. The United State Post Office does not provide curbside mail delivery to Parowan residents and therefore provides Post Office Boxes to all residents at no cost at its Parowan location, XXXX South 100 West. There are two health clinics in Parowan. Intermountain Health Care is located at 400 North Main and have plans for a new facility at 100 West 200 South. Beaver Valley Hospital has a clinic located at XXXX near the entrance to the Iron County Fair. Other health oriented businesses include a well-established pharmacy, veterinary clinic, and a full-time dentist. Parowan and all of Iron County received ambulance services through a private ambulance service. 5.4 Emergency Services Parowan City retains both a full-time police department and an all volunteer fire department. City staff has made a concerted effort since 2010 to become certified in FEMA Emergency Management Training. Various staff and council members have taken National Incident Management System (NIMS) Courses including attending FEMA Emergency Management training in Maryland at FEMA headquarters. Parowan City has an adopted Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that is currently under review and should be updated by January The most recent copy of the EOP is attached to this document as Attachment L. 5.5 City Hall Parowan City constructed a new City Hall in 2015 after efforts to this end dating back to the 1990 s. In 2014 a structural assessment was completed on the existing city office at 5 South Main and, among other recommendations, came information that to bring the existing city office up to code both 10

11 structurally and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, would cost more than $1.1 million dollars. The most recent effort for a new city office location took place in 2014 when an application was made and accepted to the Community Impact Board (CIB) for 60% grant/40% loan for a total funding package of over $2.4 million. 5.6 Library The Parowan City Library was established in 1913 and provides computer, internet, and media circulation services for residents of Parowan, visitors, and those members of surrounding communities including unincorporated areas in Iron County, Summit, and the communities of Paragonah and Brian Head. The Parowan City Library, up until 2015, also served as city council chambers and continues to serve as a community center of sorts hosting various community and other meetings. 5.7 Cemetery The Parowan City Cemetery was established with the first burial in Up until 1899, residents of Paragonah were also buried in the Parowan Cemetery. There are currently six cemetery sections: Old, North, South, Far South A, B, and C. Approximately 15% of the gravesites in the North section remain available. Approximately 75% of the gravesites in Far South A remain available. All of Far South B and C are available. There are no gravesites available in the South or Old sections. 5.8 Theater The Parowan Community Theater, also known as the Aladdin Theater, is used primarily for community theater productions but also is used regularly to show films on special occasions, summer recreation programs, the Mayor s State of the City, debates, and other various events. There are usually two community productions each year, in the Spring and in the Fall. 5.9 Fairgrounds As the county seat of Iron County, part of Parowan s land and infrastructure portfolio includes the Iron County Fairgrounds building, parking lots, and arena including grandstands, restrooms, and cooking facilities. While the principal use of this area is for the annual Iron County Fair events in August leading up to Labor Day Weekend, other uses include daily rentals of the building, half marathon coordination and finish line area, various rodeo events, and many other municipal, county, and private uses Historic Sites The list of historic sites in Parowan is extensive. There are various markers and monuments throughout the community. Some of the historic places include The Old Rock Church Musuem, The Jesse Smith Home, the Pirddy Meeks Cabin, and many others. For more information about historic sites in and around Parowan, one should consult the various historic publications available at the Parowan Visitor s Center. SECTION 6.0 PARKS AND RECREATION 11

12 6.1 Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan In 2014 a Trails, Arts, Recreation, and Parks committee was formed by the Parowan City Council. The primary objective of this committee is to coordinate and otherwise make recommendations to the Parowan City Council for parks and recreation related improvements. As mentioned, a Parks and Recreation Master Plan was created by the TARP committee and adopted by Parowan City Council action in the Fall of Community Activities Various activities and events take place throughout the year but especially during warmer summer months. Parowan City has a significant Summer Recreation Program geared toward children and families. A current calendar of all events and activities can be found on the city website, parowan.org. 6.3 Trails A Trails Master Plan was created and adopted in 2015 as Attachment C. Trails are currently a priority with Parowan City Leaders including creation of new trails and pinpointing future trail locations. 6.4 Community Pool Parowan City has a community pool that was built in 1954 and serves the community and area citizens from just before Memorial Day to just after Labor Day depending on the weather. More information about the pool including hours, prices, etc can be found on Master Plan SECTION 7.0 TRANSPORTATION A Transportation Master Plan was adopted in XXX and updated as recently as This plan can be referenced as Attachment E. 7.2 Local/Regional While there are no public transportation services in Parowan, many local and regional transportation options exist mostly for employment purposes provided by the private sector. The Greyhound Bus system stops in Parowan at Interchange Street Maintenance The status of Parowan City Streets is not well. A maintenance plan on city streets was completed December 2014 (Attachment G) and shows that many city streets are past the point where maintenance will even salvage them. As of 2015, Parowan City was spending approximately $225,000 on city street maintenance and receiving $140,000 from gas and other transportation taxes in the form of Class C dollars. Parowan City currently supports efforts to increase funding for street and other projects. 12

13 7.4 Airport Attachment H shows the 20 year plan for the Airport. Parowan receives approximately $150,000 each year in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding each year for ongoing maintenance of the airport. Much of this funding in the 2010 s has been used in payments to the Federal Fish and Wildlife Division for Prairie Dog Mitigation efforts. Efforts have been made by city administration to lengthen the runway to be able to accommodate larger jets and more skiers to Brian Head. An argument, however, has been made by many local officials that the Cedar City Airport is more appropriate for this type of traffic and Parowan should remain a small regional airport focused on Glider and similar events each summer. 8.1 Moderate-Income Housing Plan SECTION 8.0 HOUSING Attachment I is the Affordable Housing Plan as adopted by Parowan City Council. This plan is updated regularly with assistance by the Five County Association of Governments. This type of plan is required to adopt in order to be eligible for certain State and Federal funding. While Parowan City would like to always have affordable housing available for its residents, the attitude of the current city council was one that housing costs should be dictated more by the free market and less by government intervention either local, state, or federal. 8.2 Housing Needs Parowan City continues to grow slowly with only 2-4 new building permits for homes each year. Current home prices seem to have stabilized from the Great Recession of the late 2000 s. In 2015, homes priced around or under $200,000 are selling quickly. Most of those purchasing homes in Parowan appear to be older couples looking to retire to this community immediately or in the near future. 9.1 Environment SECTION 9.0 ENVIRONMENT While there are currently no sensitive lands established in the Parowan City Boundary, Open Space Preservation remains a constant goal. Areas to the South and East of downtown Parowan are publicly owned lands and city officials would like them to remain open to public use while maintaining them as both beautiful and useful. Environmental issues generally have been a concern for Parowan City residents and leaders alike for decades. ATTACHMENT LIST 13

14 Attachment A Land Use Map Attachment B Current Parowan City Bond Indebtedness Document Attachment C Trails Master Plan Attachment D Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Arts Master Plan Attachment E Transportation Master Plan Attachment F Patchwork Parkway Interpretive Master Plan Attachment G Pavement Management Plan Attachment H Airport Plan Document Attachment I Affordable Housing Plan Attachment J Power Rate Study Document Attachment K Storm Drain Master Plan Document Attachment L Emergency Operation Plan Revised October 31,