[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6605544,"mediaKeyId","2985825-e43471b7cd35af5bab48a19a47ac3df5","parentId",2985825,"title","Iron County Commission: votes at a glance — zoning, code changes, tourism funding and project-area decisions","audioSeconds",8779,"startMs",8779000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985825-e43471b7cd35af5bab48a19a47ac3df5&start=8779&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985825-e43471b7cd35af5bab48a19a47ac3df5/thumbnail_8779000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605544/Utah/Iron-County-Commission-votes-at-a-glance-zoning-code-changes-tourism-funding-and-project-area-decisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605544-6bc53004bae62550df4d5f97892ef70d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536295&Signature=YWOAnPswV49QoeRzFOZUOPerDjcGDp~wEp68Si4h3-BfrMpyS10XRWesaVgV2KYbjT0FiIAmZhn~vLksRfLFY~73lki9oM407fhp364kKDsMj0nwGRTMyCAnXXhl-bhk1EemxhskIahuAS99h2~Xm4u6YDiKNTeRbfxRd8VKtOhdBGXIlfeMsUOFRY2oIxSd8SQn5JSPdWk79N6Q1IcbGMVk7VQIoeczacJqWp5tIou8lCmpojK7qHID0DJ3fZkb1c2zQqwoYEvd1IRqrK~IpvJAWDK2-3JKXjaU2WZsTz4SoKtIH-IKgy4wqQucOlzedb70p0SC6Ohe1~hgAMj5xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-15T00:25:02.597Z","article","Iron County Commissioners met in Cedar City in April 2025 and took final votes on a batch of routine and policy items. Key outcomes included a zone change near Cedar City, adoption of a land‑use code amendment that adds data‑center rules and clarifies how remainder parcels created by right‑of‑way dedications are treated, a tourism‑tax funding package for Southern Utah University athletic projects, and a series of actions to add a parcel and participation terms to the Iron Springs solar community development project area.

Why it matters: the package mixes near‑term operational business (warrants and personnel moves) with policy decisions that affect future development, energy projects and how the county uses lodging/restaurant tax revenues to attract off‑season visitors.

What the commission approved (selected items)
- Minutes and warrants: the commission approved minutes and claims covering the March 24–April 13, 2025 period (routine approvals).

- Zone change (Cedar City grid): commissioners approved a zone change from A‑20 (Agricultural, 20 acres) to Commercial C for approximately 63.15 acres near 4000 South and 5700–6000 West in the Cedar City grid. The planning staff presented the site as having good interchange access but limited public water, which likely constrains near‑term commercial buildout until a public water connection or private system is in place. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Land‑use code amendment (Ordinance 2025‑5): the commission adopted an amendment to the Iron County Land Use Code that (1) adds a new chapter defining and regulating data centers and related power plants and (2) amends the road‑dedication subdivision rules to allow remainder parcels smaller than zoning minimums to be recorded as legal lots of record with a note on the plat. Planning staff said the data‑center language is modeled on the county’s earlier utility‑scale chapters (solar/wind/geothermal) and is intended to allow conditional permitting while identifying mitigation items (power, water, access, setbacks). Outcome: ordinance adopted.

- Southern Utah University athletic facilities (tourism/restaurant tax funds): the commission approved a recommendation from the county’s TRT (transient room tax) and restaurant tax boards to commit $2,750,000 total to a multi‑part SUU athletic facilities package: $500,000 for a multipurpose center renovation, $250,000 for a softball field reconstruction, and $2,000,000 toward a synthetic turf field plus an air‑supported dome (bubble). The boards proposed funding the total by drawing from fund balances and by scheduled multi‑year budgeted payments; the commission approved the request. Staff emphasized that formal MOUs and specific scheduling/access terms will be negotiated before funds are released so the public and county priorities are protected. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Iron Springs solar project area amendment and related agreements: the commission and the Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency (ICCDRA) took a set of interrelated votes to add a parcel to the Iron Springs solar community development project area to accommodate a proposed battery storage facility, and to authorize amended interlocal and participation agreements for the expanded area. After discussion the commission directed staff to use a 50% participation rate (agency share of the incremental tax for the battery portion) rather than the 70% figure originally proposed; the related resolutions and participation documents were then approved. Outcome: project‑area boundary amendment and related interlocal/participation actions approved with agency participation for the battery portion set at 50% (several votes recorded as 2–1 in the meeting transcript for agency items).

- Cedar Valley Belt Route alignment: the commission adopted the Cedar Valley Belt Route alignment prepared as part of the county’s study and asked the county engineer to have authority to approve minor engineering adjustments that preserve the intent of the alignment. Staff described the alignment refinements (roundabout geometry at Iron Springs Road; avoiding marshy soils; minimizing impacts to private parcels). Outcome: alignment approved with allowance for minor engineering adjustments.

- Practical shooting range: the commission voted to begin the formal process to develop a dedicated practical shooting range on a county parcel (APN SA‑E‑4135). The motion approves starting the process and directs staff to work with the proposing organization on details such as access, parking and earthwork; future steps will include land‑use approvals and any lease or management arrangement. Outcome: motion to begin process approved.

- Personnel: the meeting recorded several staff promotions and hires (Sheriff’s Office promotions, corrections hire, parks maintenance hire, and public works equipment operator hire) and approved them in a single personnel motion.

Meeting context, next steps: for several of the larger items — notably the SUU funding and the Iron Springs project area amendment — commissioners asked staff to finalize detailed MOUs or participation terms before money changes hands or incentives are paid. On the Iron Springs battery item staff said the 50% participation direction should be confirmed with the developer; the commission left some flexibility for staff and counsel to finalize technical language. Commissioners also directed staff to continue outreach on the Belt Route and on local well issues raised during commission reports.

Votes at a glance (selected items; recorded in meeting minutes)
- Minutes (03/24/2025) and warrants (claims 03/24/2025–04/13/2025): approved.
- Zone change (A‑20 to Commercial C; ~63.15 acres, Cedar City grid): approved.
- Ordinance 2025‑5 (land‑use code: data‑center chapter; remainder‑lot rule): adopted.
- SUU athletic projects (TRT/TRCC funding total $2,750,000; one‑time and 3‑year payments): approved.
- Iron Springs project‑area amendment and associated interlocal/participation agreements (battery parcel): approved; agency participation for battery portion set to 50% (actions carried after roll calls recorded in agency votes).
- Cedar Valley Belt Route alignment plan: approved with allowance for minor engineering changes.
- Practical shooting range: motion to begin process approved.
- Personnel changes (Sheriff’s Office, corrections, parks, engineering): approved.

Provenance: this summary is based on the public portion of the Iron County Commission meeting (April 2025), including staff presentations and motions recorded between timecodes 04:07:51 and 14:58:00 in the meeting transcript.

Ending: commissioners asked staff to return with final contract/MOU language and implementation schedules on the Iron Springs and SUU items before funds or incentives are disbursed. The commission adjourned after a closed‑session discussion of potential property sale.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Iron County Commission Meeting - April 14th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Iron County commissioners approved a suite of actions at their April meeting — including a Cedar City zone change, a land‑use code update to allow data centers and smaller remainder lots, $2.75 million in tourist‑tax support for Southern Utah University athletic projects, initial approvals for a battery addition to the Iron Springs solar project area, and authorization to begin a practical shooting‑range process.","taxTitle","Iron County Commission, Iron County Boards and Commissions, Iron County, Utah","taxId",67566,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6605540,"Iron Springs solar project area expanded to include battery storage; commission and agency set battery participation rate at 50%",192,4954000,5146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985825-e43471b7cd35af5bab48a19a47ac3df5&start=4954&end=5146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985825-e43471b7cd35af5bab48a19a47ac3df5/thumbnail_4954000.jpg","/articles/6605540/Utah/Iron-Springs-solar-project-area-expanded-to-include-battery-storage-commission-and-agency-set-battery-participation-rate-at-50","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605540-c3cac36ee9661bd0f678c5f0a96137b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536295&Signature=gqvj1idiJJKj~l1x~eaotWs3QefwhSPn2mHrnKtkoEtRaGu2R71Sp-1Fm2leKkx8pmNpgeQ56KMwL5ssUg9gFSlz3qzH2-FIvhenTGgokI0XQhH~TpoEl20HQ-SYJeqCh2gOJ5igbOMolGjreAcy~RQnWM5SjIA9QU9-2s96-NUvyJ~Y30IsmbECZtYBb49yEBLD9o7IFkV6Xhm9nqj9em4dHhTr948xwanCCD~KtkPAsfft36BRbE8TazX0nOLsalbrnJhrA~2OybJ5WrjqqlVWe-JWFspP-880UxqxO3vqmp7WHEbjcsc~47LJ~ooGHWdkUfVtMzRDP-TmKNzr5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency (ICCDRA) and the Iron County Commission moved forward in April 2025 to add land for a battery storage facility to the county’s existing Iron Springs solar project area and to authorize related interlocal and participation documents.

What was approved: the agency and county approved a formal amendment to the Iron Springs project area plan to add a parcel that will accommodate battery storage tied to the operating solar project. The board voted to authorize amended interlocal agreements and a participation agreement to govern how tax increment from the battery portion will be shared; after deliberation the commission directed agency staff to set the agency’s share for the battery portion at 50% (the developer had initially requested a 70% agency share mirroring earlier solar arrangements). The agency and county then approved the related resolutions and signature authority to finalize the documents, subject to developer acceptance and required consents by other taxing entities.

Why it matters: because batteries are taxable personal property, including a battery project within a community‑development project area changes which portion of tax increment the agency can capture. That capture is the economic mechanism the county and developer use to structure incentive payments that help make projects feasible. Commissioners weighed the short remaining term on the existing solar project and the fiscal tradeoffs of higher vs. lower participation rates and directed a lower 50% rate for the battery addition. Staff said the battery parcel is a relatively small footprint (the presented parcel is larger but the battery pad is roughly 22 acres of the parcel) yet represents a substantial capital investment; staff described the expected tax revenue flows over the remaining incentive term and the benefit to county taxing entities after the incentive ends.

Key details and next steps
- Parcel and project: staff presented a request to add a roughly 60‑acre parcel to the existing Iron Springs project area to accommodate a planned battery storage facility; the battery footprint is substantially smaller than the parcel area and will be developed in coordination with the existing solar installation.
- Participation rate direction: commissioners directed staff and agency counsel to set the agency’s participation rate for the battery portion at 50% of the incremental tax for the remaining project years (instead of 70% that mirrored earlier solar deals). The agency then approved the amended interlocal and participation documents consistent with that direction; several of the agency roll‑call votes were recorded 2–1 in the public record for the related documents.
- Implementation steps: staff will finalize the interlocal and participation agreements, obtain the required consents from affected taxing entities, and secure the developer’s acceptance of the revised participation terms. The agency and county will not make incentive payments until final documents are signed and the developer meets any commercial‑operation deadlines contained in the agreement.

Commissioner concerns and context: several commissioners and staff discussed the broader policy context — namely, that personal‑property depreciation schedules reduce long‑term tax yields and that incentive terms should balance developer attraction with county revenue needs. Staff recommended an economic analysis of alternative participation structures for future projects; the commission requested additional modeling for new projects (separate from Iron Springs) so commissioners can compare shorter/higher vs. longer/lower participation scenarios.

Provenance: discussion and votes on the Iron Springs project area amendment and associated interlocal/participation agreements were recorded in the meeting transcript during the ICCDRA and commission agenda segments beginning at approximately 04:95:30 through 05:15:20 (public hearing and subsequent agency/commission votes).","The Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency and the county approved adding acreage to the Iron Springs solar project area to allow a battery storage installation and authorized amended interlocal and participation agreements; the commission directed the agency to set the agency’s share of incremental tax for the battery portion at 50%.","actionData","errors"]

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Iron County Commission: votes at a glance — zoning, code changes, tourism funding and project-area decisions

Iron Springs solar project area expanded to include battery storage; commission and agency set battery participation rate at 50%