Payson council approves two annexations, Arrowhead Ranch master plan, budget amendment and ordinance tweaks

Payson City Council approved multiple land-use and administrative items during its Feb. 19 meeting, voting to annex property in the Staley area, accept a separate annexation petition for further review, adopt a master development agreement for Arrowhead Ranch, amend the city's economic development board ordinance and approve fiscal-year budget amendments that include Main Street and library projects.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on the Staley annexation before voting to approve the annexation and the annexation agreement (excluding the packet''s Concept 8). City staff presented maps and zoning proposals and several nearby property owners spoke during the hearing about driveway alignment, water rights, septic systems and the triggers that would require connections to city utilities. Resident Joe Jameson told the council the conceptual road shown in materials could affect his and neighboring driveways; the council and staff repeatedly clarified that tonight's vote covered annexation and the annexation agreement only, and that detailed design would come later with development review.

The council also accepted for further review an annexation petition submitted by property owners represented at the meeting (discussion noted potential sewer-depth issues and the need to study lift-station alternatives and water-table concerns). City staff said the petition covers roughly 30 acres and that additional technical review would follow.

On a separate item, the council approved the Arrowhead Ranch Master Development Agreement, a multi-phase plan for roughly 160 acres with several hundred housing units. Staff outlined proposed zoning mixes across the site (including higher-density areas and areas with larger lots), and said the agreement permits some lots that are smaller than typical zoning minimums while establishing minimum lot sizes for the development overall. The developer will build amenities (clubhouse, trails) and dedicate land or trails to the city depending on future phase reviews and whether the trails become part of the regional network or remain within an HOA. Council members and staff discussed sewer and grading, road stubs and connectivity to adjacent parcels.

The council unanimously approved an amendment to Title 2.19 of the Payson City Code to reduce the size of the Economic Development Board to 11 members and to authorize nonvoting ex officio staff participants so the board can function when attendance is limited.

Finally, council approved amendments to the fiscal-year 2024'25 budget to reauthorize construction and finish work for the Main Street corridor and to move forward with the library parking-lot reconstruction. Staff told the council the total Main Street and library program budget was about $11.3 million, of which roughly $5.0 million had been identified in grants and about $3.0 million in additional grant prospects were being pursued; the remainder would come from the city's fund balance unless new grant revenues were later appropriated to reimburse that balance.

Quotes and public comment excerpts

''"Because the way this is right here, my driveway, my neighbors' driveways, they're gonna split right there at the corner," resident Joe Jameson said during the Staley annexation hearing, urging that road design not be finalized tonight.

Property owner Nathan Staley said he and his family had held the annexation application for more than three years and that they were not planning immediate development but wanted the option preserved.

What the council voted on (outcomes)

- Staley annexation and annexation agreement (excluding Concept 8): approved (motion carried after public hearing). - Annexation petition accepted for further review ("Clearwing"/petitioner name as presented in the packet): approved to move forward for staff study. - Arrowhead Ranch Master Development Agreement (master development agreement/resolution): approved. - Amendment to Title 2.19 (Economic Development Board ordinance): approved (ordinance amendment adopted). - Fiscal-year 2024'25 budget amendments (including Main Street and library allocations): approved.

Staff reports and other items

Staff reported ongoing construction projects including the library parking-lot reconstruction (contractor Red Pine), trail reconstruction (Dry Creek Trail, awarded to Albertson Concrete and Construction), booster pump station bids to service the Patterson tank, and the 930 West culvert repair (contractor Colbert progressing toward concrete work). Staff also announced a NEBO Beltway study funded through MAG and upcoming community engagement events.

Open meetings and ethics training

As part of the meeting the city prosecutor, Brandon Dally, and city staff provided the annual overview of the Municipal Officers and Employees Ethics Act and the Open and Public Meetings Act: officials were reminded to disclose conflicts of interest, to avoid accepting gifts that could create the appearance of impropriety, to file sworn statements when assisting private parties in transactions involving the city, and to avoid predetermining council action outside a properly noticed meeting.

Next steps

For both annexation items, planning and engineering reviews will continue; staff told residents they would schedule follow-up meetings to explain specific triggers (utility connections, subdivision thresholds and curb/sidewalk requirements) and to coordinate with Utah County on any active county permits. Development phases for Arrowhead Ranch will return to the council for subdivision and site-specific reviews under the terms of the adopted master development agreement.

Ending

All motions passed at the Feb. 19 meeting as recorded by the council; staff will return with technical reports and follow-up items for the annexations and for the development phases referenced in the Arrowhead Ranch agreement.