The Iron County Commission on Oct. 13 approved Ordinance 2025-9 to rezone approximately 141.25 acres owned by Equestrian Trails Ranch LLC from RA-20 (rural agriculture, 20 acres) to R-1/2 (residential, half-acre) near 4000 North and 4400 West.

The change, presented at a public hearing by county planning staff and project representatives, follows a recommendation for approval from the county planning commission. Brett Hamilton introduced the request and said existing county and district water and sewer infrastructure lie adjacent to the site, and the applicant intends a mix of lot sizes with open space and basins included. Dallas Buckner of Go Civil described a conceptual layout, proposed a pedestrian box culvert under the planned Cedar Valley Belt Route and said the project design anticipates a large retention basin to handle stormwater.

Opposition at the hearing came from Bruce Anderson, Iron County public works director, who urged caution. Anderson said past development and brush clearing attract prairie dogs, which can damage neighboring agricultural operations and pose hazards for livestock. He also raised concerns about traffic impacts from recreation at nearby 3 Peaks and about long-term maintenance and snow removal for new subdivisions distant from county maintenance yards.

Commission discussion touched on drainage design, emergency access and whether infrastructure is adequate to support additional residential lots. Staff said the project would include a development agreement and that some internal roads would be county-standard while larger entry corridors would be built with wider rights-of-way and medians; the stormwater basin was described as retention with design consideration for 100- to 500-year events.

After the public hearing a commissioner moved approval of Ordinance 2025-9; the motion was seconded and passed (two ayes, one no). The commission also directed staff to include advisory language on subdivision plats to notify future buyers of proximity to recreational and agricultural uses.

The applicant will next return with a preliminary plat and development agreement for planning-commission review, where maintenance responsibilities for amenities and the stormwater basin will be negotiated.