Tooele County Planning Commission Approves Firearms Training Facility Conditional Use Permit

The Tooele County Planning Commission convened on July 16, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including proposed amendments to land use regulations and the introduction of new conditional use permits.

The meeting began with a motion to recommend approval of a text amendment to Tooele County land use chapters 2 and 27. This amendment aims to define and incorporate "land farming" and "land farming modified" into the land use ordinance. The commission emphasized that these uses must be located at least 1,300 feet away from residential or commercial zoning districts, adhering to new state guidelines. The motion was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

Following this, the commission addressed a request from applicant Brock Brown to include firearms training facilities and both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges in the land use table for specific zoning categories, namely MU (Mixed Use) and MG (Manufacturing General) zones. Currently, these uses are not permitted under existing codes. The planning staff assisted the applicant in identifying suitable zones, which include MU 40, MU 80, MU 160, and MG zones.

The commission discussed the implications of this request, noting that state code mandates a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from residential areas for shooting ranges, along with a deed notification requirement for nearby properties. The proposal is to treat these facilities as conditional use permits, allowing for case-by-case evaluations to address potential nuisances and safety concerns.

Commissioners engaged in a dialogue about the nature of land use regulations, clarifying that the existing zoning designations do not require a complete rezone for new uses to be added. Instead, the land use codes serve as a flexible framework that can adapt to the county's needs over time. The conditional use permit process was highlighted as a means to impose necessary safety measures for such facilities.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of maintaining community safety while accommodating new developments. The commission's recommendations will be forwarded to the county council for further consideration.