Commission recommends rezoning disconnected Payson parcels from CE‑1 to RA‑5

The Utah County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on Feb. 18 of a proposed amendment to the official Utah County zone map to rezone several parcels that were disconnected from Payson City from CE‑1 (the county’s default critical‑environment designation) back to RA‑5 (residential agricultural).

Staff explained the parcels historically were RA‑5 before they were annexed to Payson; county code defaults disconnected or unzoned enclaves to CE‑1. The property owner requested rezoning so the parcels could be used as 5‑acre lots; staff said the parcels had been used for agriculture and that some were nonconforming lots of record that would retain existing dwellings under RA‑5.

Commissioners asked about the reason for the disconnection. Staff said the property owner had cited power‑service conflicts between the city and an alternative service provider (SESD) and that resolving the utility issues had not been successful; the owner sought the disconnect to proceed toward subdividing to 5‑acre parcels. Staff noted the county generally discourages disconnections but will consider rezones where they are consistent with surrounding zoning and land‑use patterns.

The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval; staff said the item will be forwarded to the Utah County Commission for final action. Commissioners and staff discussed road ownership and the desire to avoid leaving small strips of CE‑1 in the mapped area; the application included roads that were part of the disconnection to create consistent zoning.