Water Supply Concerns Prompt Development Moratorium in Utah Town

Oakley, a small town in Summit County, Utah, has paused new development while it redraws its land use map and brings new water supply online.

1 minute read

June 6, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Oakley, Utah Townhall

The town hall for Oakley, in Summit County, Utah. | Antonio Cavallo / Wikimedia Commons

Alexander Cramer reports from Oakley, Utah, where city officials have temporarily banned new development, citing concerns over drought conditions and the city's water supply.

"Mayor Wade Woolstenhulme said construction already underway will be allowed to continue, and the moratorium won’t affect projects that already have building permits. New building permits for projects that require a water connection, however, will not be issued for six months," according to Cramer.

According to the article, the city has received triple the typical amount of building permits in the past year.

"The City Council’s vote came after a previous moratorium expired in January, which officials said they enacted to overhaul the city’s land-use plans and guiding documents," adds Cramer.The city also expects to add a new well to its water supply sources.

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