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Davis County Commission approves 5.91-acre agricultural protection area for Mills family near Syracuse
Summary
After a brief public hearing, the Davis County Commission approved an agricultural protection area for two parcels totaling 5.91 acres farmed by Larry and Nancy Mills. County staff said the application meets state criteria and local advisory bodies recommended approval.
The Davis County Commission voted to approve an agricultural protection area application from Larry and Nancy Mills for 5.91 acres of unincorporated land near Syracuse on Aug. 26, 2025.
County planner Jenny Blohman presented the application and said the parcels include an existing single-family dwelling and active agricultural operations used for a cattle feed operation and hay production. Blohman said the Mills family has farmed the land southwest of Syracuse for about 150 years and that the parcels are zoned A-10 (agricultural and farm production). She told commissioners the application met the criteria set out by state law and that both the Agricultural Advisory Board and the Planning Commission recommended approval.
During the hearing, a commissioner asked whether the designation is permanent. Blohman replied that owners may withdraw the property from the protection area if they intend to change its use or develop it in the future, and that returning the land to development would require additional action. She also said the applicants have received two grants to pipe an irrigation ditch and install an irrigation system on adjacent leased land and plan to apply for further grants. Blohman noted the applicants lease adjacent land from The Nature Conservancy and source roughly 25 acres of local grain silage for winter feed.
The public hearing was opened and, with no public speakers present, closed. A motion to approve the agricultural protection area was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
The commission record shows the following clarifying details provided during the hearing: the application covers two parcels totaling 5.91 acres; the minimum size for the agricultural protection area is five acres; cattle are on the property roughly November through June and are moved to pasture outside the county in summer months; and the Mills family has a long history of farming the land and has invested in irrigation improvements through grants.
The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes; the item passed by a unanimous voice vote. The commission packet included maps and photos of on-site cattle and noted no objections to the application had been received by county staff.
The commission moved on to other agenda items after approval.
