Planning commission split; forwards 40-acre general-plan amendment to county council

The Tooele County Planning Commission voted in a 4-4 split on a motion to recommend that the county council amend the Tooele County General Plan to change a 40-acre parcel from agricultural uses to residential uses, the commission chair announced. Because the commission was split, staff said the file will go to the county council as a negative (split) recommendation.

The general-plan amendment under consideration would reclassify roughly 40 acres shown in county materials from agricultural to residential so the parcel would conform with potential rezoning requests. Planning staff explained the amendment is a recommendation only; any specific lot sizes, density limits and conditions would be set later if an applicant pursues a rezone or subdivision.

The decision followed a public hearing in which multiple residents said they oppose smaller lots in the area and raised infrastructure concerns. Jason Harris, a resident who identified himself at the start of public comment, said the area’s proximity to the Oquirrh/Ochre Mountains and nearby services makes it desirable for housing but framed that as an economic opportunity. “I believe availability of homes in this area will attract more affluent members of the community, which boosts economic growth for Tooele County,” Harris said. Gordon Fields, who lives in Pine Canyon, said, “I am opposed to anything less than 5 acre lots,” and urged commissioners to preserve the existing lot-size pattern.

Other speakers echoed infrastructure worries. Brian So, who said he lives in the golf-course subdivision west of the proposed rezoning, asked, “What happens when the wells dry out? Where will the water come from?” Kim Hanson described prior days without sufficient water for livestock and questioned whether new development’s tax revenue would cover long-term costs such as schools.

Commissioners discussed the scope of a general-plan amendment versus a rezone. Planning staff (Trish) reiterated that the general-plan amendment changes only the planned land-use designation (agricultural to residential) and does not allow the commission to revisit septic systems or well adequacy at this stage: those technical reviews occur during later permitting, subdivision or rezone proceedings. Staff also noted the property is currently zoned rural residential (RR-5), so 5-acre subdivisions could be pursued under existing zoning even if the general plan remains agricultural.

In debate, commissioners divided over procedure and precedent. Several commissioners said the general plan — adopted and worked on in recent years — should be treated as a forward-looking guide and not changed lightly; others said the plan is deliberately broad and may be revised where future development patterns make residential designation appropriate. Commissioner Dowd explained his no vote by citing infrastructure and neighborhood-opinion concerns; he said the traffic and utility impacts and the absence of public support weighed against a favorable recommendation. The motion to recommend the amendment was made by Commissioner Hope and seconded by Commissioner Stets. The commission completed a roll call that produced a four-to-four split.

Because the commission did not reach a majority in favor, the item will be forwarded to the Tooele County Council with the commission’s split opinion and the record of public comment and staff findings. The county council will have the final decision on whether to amend the general plan and, subsequently, whether to approve any rezoning or subdivision applications related to the parcel.