San Juan County planning commission approves 2025 land‑use ordinance after hourslong public hearing

The San Juan County Planning Commission voted to approve a rewritten 2025 Land Use Development and Management Ordinance after a lengthy public hearing on Jan. 9, 2025, a session that included dozens of residents raising concerns about livestock rules, RV and short‑term rental regulations, gravel pits and a proposed truck stop.

The ordinance drew frequent public comment and sustained debate from residents in Spanish Valley, Blanding, Monticello and other parts of the county. Planning staff and commissioners described multiple textual changes made during the meeting and said they will coordinate final wording and return to annual updates.

Why it matters: The ordinance updates a zoning code last substantially revised in 2011, establishes where certain commercial and residential uses are allowed, and clarifies enforcement and permitting procedures. Residents warned the changes could restrict small businesses, farm practices and housing options; commission members said the rewrite aims to make uses clearer, reduce long‑running legal confusion and give staff tools to bring existing unpermitted operations into compliance.

What the commission decided - The Planning Commission moved and seconded a motion to approve the 2025 Land Use Development and Management Ordinance with the changes discussed at the meeting. The motion carried following an audible roll call: the chair announced the motion approved after members called “aye”; one commissioner voiced opposition during the record. (Tally recorded from the meeting: yes 6,…