What Was on the St. George Council Agenda Nov. 5? Quick Answer
The St. George City Council's regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, had three items worth knowing about:
- Desert Haven hillside permit: about 55 acres south of the Fort Pierce Wash on the Utah-Arizona border, recommended 6-0 by the Planning Commission.
- SR-7 Exit 5 interchange: a $440,777.56 construction engineering management contract with Stanley Consultants, on the consent calendar.
- Budget amendment: Resolution 2026-023R, totaling $975,305, mostly to finish four park projects.
This is a summary of the agenda and packet. Minutes from Nov. 5 have not been posted, so we cannot yet confirm how each item was decided. We will update this article when they are.
Desert Haven: Hillside Permit on the Arizona Line
DSG Engineering (Ken Miller) asked for a hillside development permit to disturb slopes in the 20–30% and 30–40% ranges on roughly 55 acres south of the Fort Pierce Wash. According to the staff report:
- The land was part of a 212.679-acre annexation approved Nov. 7, 2019, and is designated Medium Density Residential in the General Plan, which caps density at 9 units per acre.
- The council rezoned it to the new R-1 zone on July 2, 2026. R-1 has no minimum lot size but requires 40-foot lot frontage.
- Most of the site is relatively flat. Grading would cut into the toe of a hillside on the west side, and an HOA would own and maintain the cut slopes and drainage swales.
- The applicant told the Hillside Review Board that cuts would be armored with basalt or natural cobble to reduce scarring.
- The Hillside Review Board recommended approval 4-0, and the Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 with no conditions.
Neighboring land is zoned A-20 agriculture to the north, Washington County land lies to the east, and Arizona to the south.
SR-7 Exit 5 Interchange Oversight
The consent calendar included a professional services agreement with Stanley Consultants for construction engineering management on the SR-7 Exit 5 interchange. Two qualified construction management firms submitted proposals. The cost is $440,777.56, and staff recommended approval. The item does not give a construction schedule for the interchange.
Where the $975,305 Budget Amendment Goes
| Item | Amount | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Las Colinas Park (River Bend Park) | $36,000 | Finish the 2023 recreation bond project; city crews installed the playground surfacing and much of the dog park |
| Middleton Wash Trail | $211,000 | Two new trail segments, completed in September; grand opening Nov. 17 |
| Southern Hills Park | $29,000 | Finish the park; the packet lists a grand opening Nov. 18 |
| Vernon Worthen Park restrooms | $617,000 | Restroom project, substantially complete in mid-September |
| Turf removal near Wendy’s, St. George Blvd. and 1000 East | $48,202 | Replace about 23,601 sq. ft. of nonfunctional turf; reimbursed by the water district’s rebate program |
| Police equipment (federal JAG grant) | $30,103 | Drone attachments, SWAT helmets and radios, training targets, WRAP restraints and 40mm less-lethal launchers |
| Shop with a Cop | $4,000 | Walmart Spark Good Local grant for the holiday event |
The four park items are funded through the Park Impact Fund and roll forward money approved last fiscal year, according to the exhibit. The Middleton Wash Trail extension runs from Arroyo Circle north to Red Cliffs Drive, and from Red Hills Parkway along the former Middleton Drive alignment to Cottonwood Springs Road and Red Rock Road.
See our listings for the Middleton Wash Trail grand opening on Nov. 17 and the Poppy Park opening on Nov. 18. The chamber lists the Poppy Park event at 2025 White Dome Drive. We could not confirm whether that is the same park the city calls Southern Hills Park.
Other Agenda Items
- FY27 crack seal bid to Superior Asphalt LC, $157,300 (eight bids).
- Asphalt and concrete crushing at the city reuse center to Ground Worx Corp., $120,281.
- Merchant card processing moved from Wells Fargo to State Bank of Southern Utah, except airport parking machines, saving an estimated $3,150.
- Waiver of police escort fees for Wreaths Across America on Dec. 19, 2026, and future years.
- Four easement vacations: Rilassante at Divario, Leslie Dunbar Trust, The Palms of St. George and Anasazi Hills at Entrada.
Earlier that afternoon, the work meeting covered short-term rentals and the blasting moratorium. See our short-term rental report. The next land-use hearings are covered in our Nov. 10 Planning Commission preview, and the Washington City boundary adjustment is also up Nov. 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Desert Haven in St. George?
About 55 acres generally south of the Fort Pierce Wash along the Utah-Arizona border, according to the city. It was part of a 212.679-acre annexation approved in 2019.
How many homes can Desert Haven have?
The land is designated Medium Density Residential, which allows no more than 9 units per acre. The hillside permit itself does not set a lot count.
Who will oversee construction of the SR-7 Exit 5 interchange?
The Nov. 5 consent calendar proposed Stanley Consultants for construction engineering management at a cost of $440,777.56.
When does the Middleton Wash Trail extension open?
The city budget memo lists a grand opening on Nov. 17, 2026. The chamber lists the ribbon cutting from 4 to 5 p.m. at 1642 E Middleton Dr.
Did the council approve these items?
The Nov. 5 minutes have not been posted yet. This article summarizes the agenda and packet and will be updated when results are available.
Sources: St. George City Council, Nov. 5, 2026 regular meeting agenda packet (items 3, 4 and 9; Resolution 2026-023R Exhibit A; Desert Haven staff report); St. George City Council, Nov. 5, 2026 work meeting agenda.
