Commission recommends 90‑day temporary permit for small riverfront trailer camp while city annexation talks continue

The Emery County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend a 90‑day temporary permit for a river‑bottom trailer camp on a nonconforming lot while the county and Farrin City pursue further discussions about annexation and long‑term permitting.

Commission members said the parcel is an existing, undersized lot adjacent to Farrin City and that the property appears to use city utilities in part. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with Farrin City to determine whether annexation or a city business license would be the appropriate long‑term solution.

County Commissioner Jordan Leonard urged coordination with the city before issuing a longer permit. "We need to have discussion with the city on it and make sure," Leonard said during the meeting.

The commission debated whether county rules require a 10‑acre minimum for some commercial uses in unincorporated agricultural areas and whether the lot’s longstanding configuration could preserve an existing use. Commissioners noted the lot’s small size (reported in discussion as "less than 1 acre") and that a formal annexation process with Farrin City could take months, leaving the property in limbo for summer operations.

To avoid leaving the lot unused this summer, a commissioner moved to grant a 90‑day temporary permit with the requirement that the owner initiate annexation discussions with Farrin City and coordinate with county staff. The motion passed unanimously among commissioners present. Commission members emphasized the temporary permit would be revisited and must be referred to the county commission for final approval.

The commission instructed staff to draft the temporary permit language, include a requirement that the owner contact Farrin City about annexation, and bring the item to the county commission for final action.