Riverton City Planning Commission Meeting - October 9, 2025

The Riverton City Planning Commission met on October 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Riverton City Hall. The meeting covered four public hearings: two short-term rental permit applications, a preliminary subdivision plan, and a retail facade upgrade. The Commission approved the Barros short-term rental, continued the Reader short-term rental to a future meeting, approved the Willard’s Farm Subdivision with a compromise on fencing, and approved the 12600 South Retail Façade Upgrade.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reader Short-Term Rental: Two neighbors spoke in opposition. Steven Braithwaite, who lives across the street, questioned the applicant's primary residence and agent availability, noting the applicant told his insurance company his primary residence is Nevada. He also stated the applicant had told a neighbor he planned to rent the home for six months, exceeding the 150-day limit. Marcia Jensen, a nearby resident, reported multiple police visits to the property, ongoing parking issues, and expressed fear of retaliation from the applicant. She also noted the applicant stated to another neighbor he would live in the home six months and rent it six months, exceeding the allowed occupancy.
• Barros Short-Term Rental: No public comments were made.
• Willard’s Farm Subdivision: No public comments were made.
• 12600 South Retail Façade Upgrade: No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Barros Conditional Use – Short-Term Rental (PLZ-25-2040): Applicant Katherin Barros requested to rent her primary residence at 1357 Midas Point Cove as a short-term rental. The property is zoned R-3 (single-family residential) and is 0.44 acres with a 2,816 sq ft home. The applicant travels out of state and has hired an agent (Green Ivory Realty) to manage the property. Staff confirmed the application meets all city requirements, including owner occupancy (185 nights/year), rental limits (150 nights/year), and off-street parking. The agent, Mark Machlis, stated response time is about 10 minutes for complaints. The Commission discussed enforcement of conditions and the three-violation rule. Despite Commissioner Matheson’s general dislike of short-term rentals, he noted the application complies with code.
• Reader Conditional Use – Short-Term Rental (PLZ-25-2042): Applicant Eugene Reader requested to rent his property at 4851 Murdoch Peak Circle as a short-term rental. The property is zoned R-4 (single-family residential) and is 0.21 acres. Questions arose about primary residency (the applicant also owns a home in Nevada) and the availability of an agent. Staff received tax documents and a Utah driver’s license showing the Riverton address as primary, but the agent’s identity and ability to respond within one hour were not verified. Public comments alleged multiple police visits and parking violations. Commissioner Rushton suggested the City Council review the three-violation rule. City Attorney Ryan Carter advised the application is incomplete without a verifiable agent. The Commission voted to continue the hearing to obtain further documentation on the agent and a report on police/code violations at the property.
• Willard’s Farm Subdivision (PLZ-25-1006): Applicant Alan Prince proposed a preliminary subdivision of five lots near 3100 West 13400 South. The property was rezoned from RR-22 to R-3 in July 2025. The plan includes a private lane (26 feet wide), underground water storage, and a homeowners association. The main discussion point was fencing: code requires a 6-foot masonry fence between non-compatible zones, but the applicant requested an exception to allow vinyl fencing for most of the perimeter, citing a $10,000 per lot cost difference. The adjacent neighbor to the west (with animal rights) had requested an 8-foot masonry wall. The Commission debated a hybrid approach: masonry on the west lot line of Lot 4 (where horses could access) and vinyl elsewhere. The applicant agreed to this compromise. Commissioner Knudsen voted against, preferring masonry along the entire west boundary due to the different zones. The motion passed 5-1.
• 12600 South Retail Façade Upgrade (PLZ-25-8016): Applicant Courtney Taylor (represented by Scott Irvine) proposed upgrading the facades of Peterson’s Market, the adjacent strip mall, and Little Caesars at 1722-1774 West 12600 South. The buildings, originally built in 1985, will receive new storefronts, awnings, color schemes, and signage to meet updated Commercial Architectural Standards. The existing brick on Peterson’s Market will remain; Little Caesars’ brick will be covered. The roofline and parapet walls will be largely unchanged. The Commission asked about rooftop mechanical equipment screening, but the applicant noted no structural changes are planned. No public comments were received. The Commission approved the plan unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Barros Short-Term Rental: Approved unanimously (6-0) with 7 conditions, including compliance with city code, obtaining a business license, limiting renters to 8, and allowing only one rental contract at a time.
• Reader Short-Term Rental: Continued (6-0) to a future meeting. Staff directed to: (1) verify existence of an agent and ability to respond within one hour, and (2) report on any criminal history or code violations at the property.
• Willard’s Farm Subdivision: Approved 5-1 (Commissioner Knudsen opposed) with 14 conditions, including condition 14 requiring masonry fencing on the west lot line of Lot 4 and vinyl fencing elsewhere as presented.
• 12600 South Retail Façade Upgrade: Approved unanimously (6-0) with conditions that building materials and colors match the submitted plans, and any landscaping changes be approved by staff.
• Minutes: The minutes from the September 25, 2025, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:18 PM.