Millard County commissioners approve rezoning of roughly 1,144 acres for heavy industrial use after heated public hearing

The Millard County Commission on June 3 adopted an ordinance changing about 1,143.8 acres from agricultural 20 (Ag-20) to heavy industrial, following a public hearing that drew residents, attorneys representing the applicant and a unanimous recommendation from the county Planning and Zoning Commission.

The vote opens the site for heavy industrial uses but does not finalize specific projects. Planning and zoning coordinator Adam said the location and “the planning commission, after much discussion … made a unanimous recommendation” in favor of the rezoning, and that the particulars of any future project would be handled through the conditional-use permit process.

Why it matters: Rezoning to heavy industrial converts the zoning rules that apply to the parcel and allows a broader set of uses; opponents said the change could permanently reduce water available for residents and farming, worsen traffic and noise, and set a precedent for further industrial expansion. Proponents said conditional use permitting and…