Francis council approves a 5-foot utility easement encroachment and hears a proposal to limit holiday lighting
October 8, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · 2317 South Spring Hollow Road, Francis
At its Oct. 8 meeting, with the mayor and two council members excused, the Francis City Council unanimously approved a request to build within a public utility easement on the condition the owner moves the structure if utilities need access. The planner proposed limiting holiday lighting in the city code to fit the city's dark sky goals; the council will take it up later. The engineer reported a bike park dust problem and utility line damage tied to a Comcast installation. These are draft minutes.
From the draft minutes. Updated November 3, 2026.
In brief
3 items came up for a decision or discussion: 2 approved and 1 discussed.
This write-up links 1 source document.
3 members were present and 3 absent (Mayor Jeremie Forman, Councilman Atkinson, Recorder Gillett).
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Invoice register and Sept. 24 minutes | Approved · 3-0 |
| Public utility easement encroachment request | Approved · 3-0 |
| Planner and engineer reports | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Other
Invoice register and Sept. 24 minutes
Approved · 3-0
Approved the Oct. 8 invoice register, including a payment for well house electrical work the engineer said is close to completion, and the Sept. 24 minutes.
Item 5B · City code
Public utility easement encroachment request
Approved · 3-0
Planner O'Keefe said a resident asked to build 3 feet from the side and 5 feet from the rear property line inside the utility easement, which the city cut from 10 feet to 5 feet years ago. The applicant has utility company permission and signed an agreement to move the structure if access is needed. The engineer said past encroachments were done at the homeowner's risk without problems. Approved.
Item 6B-C · Other
Planner and engineer reports
Discussed
The planner asked the council to consider limiting holiday lighting in the city code to be more considerate of neighbors and consistent with dark sky compliance. The engineer reported dust from overly fine sand at the bike park, a planned well switch-out after irrigation season, and utility line damage from a Comcast installation.
What residents said
A resident raised concern about a neighbor's outdoor lights left on all night; the council said existing homes are grandfathered under older code.