CEDAR CITY — Cedar City Council members approved last month an ordinance change that will allow more flexibility on curb and gutter requirements for the city’s RV parks.
Blue Terra Development, which is planning the construction of the Cedar Point RV Park near the Cedar City Bowling Center, requested an amendment to Chapter 26, Article VIII of the City Ordinances.
This will allow for a valley gutter along interior roads rather than the previously required 2-inch rolled curbs, according to page 53 of the Council Packet.
Scott Stewart, a partner with Blue Terra Development, presented the company’s proposal on Oct. 19 for the City Council Work Meeting and the following week when it was approved.
While working on a similar project in Idaho, Stewart said the company used valley gutters instead of rolled curbs.
“We did this for a couple of reasons,” he said. “But what we discovered was how nice it was to not have to back RVs over curbs.”
When the vehicle’s tires hit the curb, “they want to stop and you have to rev your engine,” Stewart told Cedar City News. The valley gutters, on the other hand, allow a straight entry into the space as it is not a dividing barrier like a curb.
“It’s just a convenience for the guests who will be staying in the RV park,” he said.
Stewart said it appeared the original language was based on requirements for mobile homes, which stay in place long-term, versus RVs, which are transient.
Councilmember R. Scott Phillips questioned what would prevent gravel, wood chips or other landscaping materials from ending up on the road, particularly in bad weather.
The company doesn’t park RVs or vehicles on gravel, and pathways are all either concrete or paved. If the material moves during a storm, they would have the area cleaned, said Stewart, adding that a strong wind could blow the materials over a rolled curb as well.
“It’s not that hard to clean up if it does happen, and it’s – again, it’s been very successful,” he said.
Additionally, Stewart said the change would allow the company to use the money saved on curb and gutter for amenities in the clubhouse and other facilities.
“We do play with a budget that’s limited and I know that’s not relevant here, but that’s part of the reason we designed it the way we did,” he said. “It has functioned very well.”
Councilmember Tyler Melling told Stewart that the company’s budget is always relevant to the council.
“We shouldn’t regulate people into spending money they wouldn’t otherwise spend,” he said.
The city doesn’t have an ordinance that dictates how companies design areas to trap debris, which would be “hard to enforce anyway,” Melling said.
“Short of that, I don’t have any issue with what I’m seeing here,” he said. “And I would rather you spend that on more green space, more trees, more common areas.”
Cedar City senior engineer Jonathan Stathis said he included a suggestion in the packet to build a flush curb to stabilize the edge against the asphalt. And Melling said he would agree to the requirement for public roads maintained by the city but was less likely to for a private road.
Stathis also suggested including general language in the ordinance requiring asphalt stabilization and debris control, and Melling said that should be included in the storm drainage ordinances so it would apply city-wide instead of to RV parks only.
Councilmember Ron Riddle said the maintenance of the RV park would be the responsibility of the company.
“Most of the time, if they’re the owner, they’re going to do what’s most long-lasting,” he said.
When the ordinance change came to a vote, it passed 3-2, with Hartley and Phillips voting no.
Cedar Point RV Park
The RV Park has been designed and Blue Terra Development is working with the city to complete the process, Stewart said, adding that they would like to open in late 2023.
“We’re going to push really hard and I think we might be able to be open next October,” he said.
The park will feature a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse with a library, game room and laundry room, along with several other amenities, Stewart said.
“(It will have) lots of fun things to do in there and lots of nice places for people to meet,” he said.
Additionally, the building will have a fitness center, and a pickleball court and fire pits outside.
To watch the discussion from Oct. 19, visit Cedar City Council’s YouTube channel here. To watch the video from Oct. 26, click here.
Photo Gallery
A rolled curb, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News A rolled curb, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News Landscaping at another RV park developed by Blue Terra Development, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News A valley gutter and the landscaping at another RV park developed by Blue Terra Development, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News Landscaping at another RV park developed by Blue Terra Development, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News A mockup of the clubhouse expected to be built as part of the Cedar Point RV Park | Image courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News The concept sheet for Cedar Point RV Park | Image courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News A valley gutter, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Blue Terra Development, Cedar City News
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