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Residents urge caution on Conifer rezone; council tables request pending land-use map amendment
Summary
During a lengthy Feb. 12 public hearing, neighbors voiced concerns about water, drainage, traffic and health impacts for a proposed rezoning at 1405 North Conifer Street; the council voted to table the rezone until a land-use map amendment is submitted and processed.
The Tooele City Council on Feb. 12 opened a public hearing on a proposed rezoning by Brandon and Jenny Ney for roughly 3.64 acres of property at 1405 North Conifer Street (applicants seek RR1 zoning from RR5). After public testimony raising infrastructure and safety concerns, the council voted 7-0 to table the rezone until a land-use map amendment is filed and processed.
Why it matters: Neighbors said water supply, drainage and traffic conditions in the Drew Bay/Conifer area are already constrained and that further subdivision could worsen those conditions. The council's decision to table the request reflects local procedural requirements that zoning changes align with the city's adopted land-use map before a final rezone vote.
Public testimony and applicant comments Several residents, including Doris Kupfer and Clint Cooper, provided extended public comment. Their remarks included concerns that a change from five-acre lots (RR5) to one-acre lots (RR1) would increase traffic on Drew Bay Road, exacerbate chronic drainage and low-water-pressure problems, and affect neighborhood character. Cooper described repeated near-miss and fatal traffic incidents on Drew Bay Road, semitrailer parking and high-speed traffic, and urged traffic-calming and drainage improvements if more lots are allowed.
Applicants Brandon and Jenny Ney told the commission their intent is to create a single house lot (the piece they are purchasing is about 3.64 acres) and that the rezone is sought because parcels under five acres cannot retain RR5 zoning. They said the proposed lot would have access from Conifer and not from Drew Bay and that their goal is a single-family lot larger than typical infill lots.
Council action and process note Planner Kent Page told the commission that the general-plan land-use map currently designates the area as medium-density residential in the long-term plan and that the commission cannot consider a rezone vote until the land-use map amendment is also considered. Legal/commission discussion concluded the advertised public hearing should be allowed for public comment but that a final rezone vote must be tabled. Commissioner Proctor moved to table the rezone until the corresponding land-use map amendment is processed; the motion passed 7-0.
Next steps The rezoning request remains tabled. Staff and applicants may return the request for consideration only after a land-use map amendment application is submitted and processed in accordance with city procedures.
