What's on the Agenda? Quick Answer
The St. George City Council meets Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 61 S. Main St. The biggest land-use items are a request to move approved homes between neighborhoods in the Ledges, with no increase in the 2,600-unit total, and a revised, lower-density plan for Rusty Cliffs South on Highway 18. Five days later, on Tuesday, October 27, at 5 p.m., the Planning Commission holds public hearings on two general plan changes: one would move about 232 acres in Desert Canyons from low- to medium-density residential, and the other covers Red Rock Ridge at 344 S 1990 E.
These are all proposals. Nothing below has been approved by the City Council. Everything here comes from the city's posted agenda, the October 22 meeting packet and the hearing notices.
The Ledges: Same 2,600 Homes, Shuffled Around
Ordinance No. 2026-081 would amend the zone plan for the Ledges, about 1,108 acres on both sides of Highway 18. According to the staff report, the total stays at 2,600 dwelling units, but the allocation changes:
| Area | Current | Proposed | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| West of Highway 18 | 840 | 854 | +14 |
| East, north of the golf course | 651 | 672 | +21 |
| East, south of the golf course | 1,109 | 1,074 | -35 |
| Total | 2,600 | 2,600 | 0 |
The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 on September 22 with no conditions. The staff report counts five comments at that hearing, mostly opposed, citing infrastructure, traffic, lost views and property values, plus 15 written comments. The report traces the Ledges back to a 2004 approval of 2,730 units; amendments in 2006, 2007 and 2017 set the cap at 2,400, 2,300 and 2,358, and a 2021 amendment raised it to 2,600.
Rusty Cliffs South: 86 Fewer Homes, No Commercial
Ordinance No. 2026-082 covers Rusty Cliffs South, about 49.3 acres on the east side of Highway 18 between 4100 North and 4400 North, which the council rezoned to a Traditional Neighborhood Zone in January 2026. The applicant says the market has shifted. The revised plan would:
- Cut total units from 380 to 294 (7.7 to 5.96 units per acre)
- Replace the 176 approved attached units (stacked multifamily, duplexes, two-story attached, townhomes and live/work) with 57 triplex units
- Drop the 40,000-square-foot commercial town center
- Raise single-family homes from 204 to 237
The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval with four conditions, including a preliminary plat and a site plan before construction. One neighbor spoke in support but asked for a fence or other barrier between her animals and the new homes. The applicant's booklet describes the site as benchland above Snow Canyon State Park, next to the Ledges and the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
Other Council Items
- SunTran transit facility: a $663,239.24 change order with Bonneville Builders for the automotive equipment in the new facility's six maintenance bays. Staff say it was already in the construction budget, paid from the Public Transit Fund through a state grant for the Zion route. Completion is expected in December 2026.
- Divario tortoise fence: an interlocal agreement, already adopted by Washington County, for the county to build a three-wire range fence with tortoise mesh along city open space in Divario next to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, with step-overs and ride-overs at authorized trails. A county habitat review in the packet says up to 19.27 acres would be fenced in with the Reserve, and that tortoise sign was found on the two largest parcels in an August 18 survey.
- Riverbend Point: Ordinance No. 2026-080 for a three-story, 45,000-square-foot commercial building on 2.24 acres north of Mall Drive and west of 2780 East (Planning Commission 6-0).
- Purchases: $441,432.39 for police computer replacements, funded by an FY26 COPS Technology and Equipment Program award, and a $405,402.12 hydro-excavation truck for Water Services.
October 27 Planning Commission Hearings
- Desert Canyons North/East (Case 2026-GPA-014): change about 232 acres from low- to medium-density residential and adjust the medium and medium-high boundaries on about 272 acres in total, east of Southern Parkway and north of Desert Sky Parkway. Applicant: Desert Canyons Development, Inc.
- Red Rock Ridge (Case 2026-GPA-012): change about 14.40 acres at 344 S 1990 E from a mix of low-density residential, high-density residential and open space to high-density residential and open space. Applicant: Giv Development.
Both hearings are at 5 p.m. at 61 S. Main St. The notices don't include site plans or unit counts. They also don't say when the City Council would take up either request. Questions go to the city's Development Services office, listed on the notices.
For more on how St. George is paying for growth, see the city's new emergency services sales tax and our report on Washington County population growth. More about the city: St. George city guide.
Earlier that afternoon, the council's 4 p.m. work meeting takes up two discussion items: the "Temple View" concept for the old hospital site and the police department's plan to double its license plate reader cameras to 16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ledges adding more homes?
No. The proposal moves units between areas but keeps the total at 2,600, according to the staff report.
What is changing at Rusty Cliffs South?
The proposal cuts it from 380 to 294 homes, removes the commercial town center, live/work and stacked multifamily units, and adds more single-family homes.
Can I comment on the Desert Canyons density change?
Yes. The Planning Commission takes public comment at its hearing Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. at 61 S. Main St.
When does the City Council vote on these items?
The Ledges, Rusty Cliffs South and SunTran items are on the October 22 agenda. The two October 27 general plan requests are at the Planning Commission stage.
Sources
- St. George City Council regular meeting agenda, Oct. 22, 2026 (Utah Public Notice Website)
- St. George City Council agenda packet, Oct. 22, 2026 (PDF)
- Notice of public hearing: Desert Canyons North/East General Plan Amendment, Oct. 27, 2026
- Notice of public hearing: Red Rock Ridge General Plan Amendment, Oct. 27, 2026
Published October 18, 2026. We'll update this page after the council and Planning Commission act.
