Council continues public hearing on 201‑acre Bettis property zoning after residents raise access, runoff and school concerns

The Springville City Council on Tuesday agreed to continue the public hearing on proposed zoning for a 201‑acre property owned by the Bettis family, setting the matter for the council’s Dec. 15 meeting.

The council opened a public hearing after the planning and zoning board submitted a recommendation. Attorney Chesley Payne, speaking for the Bettis family, asked the council to postpone the hearing for two to three months so the family could provide more detailed plans and “provide the city with some more clarity as to the uses of property.” Payne said the family preferred to present a comprehensive plan rather than ask for rezoning piecemeal.

Nut graf: The continuance came after more than a dozen residents from nearby subdivisions described worries about traffic access, stormwater runoff, water and sewer capacity, and effects on local schools. The council said it would accept more public input and revisit the zoning question in December.

Residents who live near the site said the property’s only practical road access could route construction traffic through existing neighborhoods. “Our streets won't stand it,” said Joe Cox, who lives on Reno Drive, urging the council to consider ingress and egress before approving dense zoning. Several other residents raised runoff and lake‑level concerns, asking who would be liable if development increased flooding. William Montgomery said existing runoff already causes “white water” through his property.

Council discussion focused on the procedural steps: the property, which has been annexed into the city, must be assigned a city zoning designation. City officials and some council members said zoning choices now would determine the range of future subdivision plans and infrastructure reviews. City staff and the mayor told residents that even after zoning, any developer would have to submit subdivision plats and engineering plans to planning and zoning for review of roads, water, sewer and stormwater controls.

The Bettis family’s attorney said the property could remain functionally limited while the family pursues a plan, and that the delay would allow a more complete package to be presented to the city and planning board. The council formally voted to continue the hearing to Dec. 15, 2025, and invited residents to return and to participate in planning‑level meetings in the interim.

Ending: Council members asked staff to notify the public about the continuance and said they would accept written comments and attend planning meetings; the council did not adopt any zoning ordinance at the meeting and will take up the matter again on Dec. 15.