The Ivins City Council and Planning Commission met on July 28, 2026, to begin the process of updating the City's Land Use Plan Map, according to meeting minutes. The joint work meeting focused on establishing an organized framework to ensure the updated map aligns with the community's long-term vision established in the General Plan.
During the meeting, Council Member Mike Scott presented a proposed fourteen-step process for the project, which is expected to take approximately one year to complete. The framework includes steps such as analyzing existing conditions, holding community planning forums, and conducting public hearings before the map is adopted. To guide future decisions, members reviewed six planning lenses: character preservation, fiscal sustainability, community gathering, water stewardship, economic development, and infrastructure readiness.
Officials noted that the Land Use Plan Map serves as a policy guide rather than a legally binding zoning document and does not create vested property rights. The council and commission discussed the importance of the map remaining flexible to accommodate changing market conditions and community needs. The group aims to complete the first three steps of the process, which include reviewing the process and gathering data, by the end of September.
The discussion included a review of commercial development, specifically addressing why certain commercially designated properties remain undeveloped. Members emphasized the need to identify commercial uses that complement Ivins rather than replicating neighboring communities. To assist in this process, staff was directed to compile information on current development patterns, traffic counts, and existing housing types.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn. The joint meeting was led by Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Gillespie and included several council and commission members, as well as city staff and consultant Matt Lou from Ascend Land Consultants.
