Commission approves zone change and two-year conditional use for towing yard on 27.7-acre parcel near I‑80

The Sweetwater County Planning Commission moved to approve a zone map amendment and a conditional‑use permit for Zachary and Elizabeth Kron, operators of Kronen Towing and Recovery, to operate a towing and recovery yard on a roughly 27.7‑acre parcel adjacent to Interstate 80.

Staffer Cassidy, presenting the item, said the request would change the parcel’s zoning from agricultural to light industrial and noted the parcel meets the light‑industrial minimum district size of 10 acres. Cassidy told commissioners the applicants have coordinated with adjacent landowners to secure an access easement and had completed an 8‑1‑1 locate before submitting a site plan that avoids construction or storage within pipeline right‑of‑way. She also said Sweetwater County Environmental Health had approved use of an RV as a temporary office while the applicants manage waste pending construction, and that Fire Warden Allen Adams had determined access was adequate for fire response.

Cassidy listed the conditions staff recommended: legal access must be obtained within three months of Board of County Commissioners approval; the zoning will revert to agricultural if the parcel is not purchased by the Krones; and the zoning change is conditioned on approval of the Krones’ conditional‑use permit by the Board of County Commissioners.

During the conditional‑use hearing, Cassidy reviewed review criteria specific to salvage, towing and recovery yards. She said the site meets required separation distances from churches, schools, residential zoning and recreational facilities, staff does not recommend vehicle stacking above 6 feet, and the state vehicle storage and disposal license was on file. Staff recommended approving the conditional use for an initial two‑year term, limited to vehicle storage and impound operations, personal to Zachary Kron for the parcel and subject to ongoing compliance with county regulations.

Applicant Zachary Kron told the commission that there is no towing company within a mile of the site and that the fenced area will exclude the pipeline and utility corridors so owners and operators retain access. “Our goal is to just get vehicles back to customers, get them out of here. We do not want a salvage yard by any means,” Kron said.

Commissioner Richards voiced no objection, saying, “I don’t see any problems with any of this.” No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing; staff had forwarded adjacent‑owner concerns from Qualia Properties (Alice Schaffer) and pipeline operator comments to the applicants and said the issues were being addressed.

The commission voted to approve the zone map amendment on a voice vote and then to recommend approval of the conditional‑use permit with staff recommendations. The conditional‑use recommendation states an initial term of two years; subsequent terms would be set by the Board of County Commissioners.

The approvals are recommendations to the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners; final authority for the zone map amendment and conditional‑use permit rests with that board and with any required pipeline right‑of‑way releases or approvals from private pipeline owners.