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Residents urge county oversight after Dixon Farm agricultural protection area is withdrawn
Summary
Lehi residents told commissioners they support removing the Dixon Farm agricultural protection area but want assurances the county will enforce zoning and public-health standards after the APA is withdrawn, citing past odor and fly problems, alleged unpermitted structures and missing sidewalks or lighting near schools and trails.
Multiple residents addressed the commission during public comment about item 6 on the consent calendar, which involved the Dixon Farm agricultural protection area (APA). Scott Scovell, a retired district attorney from Lehi, told the commission he lives less than a quarter mile from Dixon Ranch and raised safety and nuisance concerns tied to the APA removal.
"I am a retired district attorney... I live in Lehi, and I'm addressing item number 6," Scovell said, describing sidewalk gaps, inadequate lighting near schools and a trail that "just dies right there at 3200 North." He told the commission he submitted a letter to the advisory board on Nov. 11 and asked what next steps residents should expect now that the APA application was withdrawn.
Scovell and other residents said the county has an ongoing duty to promote public health, safety and welfare and pressed for clarity on oversight and remedies if nuisance conditions recur. Scovell noted a history of mink-waste odors and flies at the property but said the odor and fly problems have decreased since April; he asked what the commission can do to ensure the farm continues best practices.
Chris Bowerbank, a Lehi resident, said he did not oppose the petition to remove the APA but sought enforcement of zoning and agricultural best practices. He summarized a county inspection finding that identified unpermitted additional structures and said his GRAMA request showed recent construction of at least five mink sheds and a utility building without permits. He asked the county to establish a written standard for intensive livestock operations, to have the Ag Advisory Board review the Dixon Ranch, and for community development or the planning commission to evaluate RA5 zoning compliance.
County staff and commissioners replied that the first statutory step — removal of the APA — had occurred and that county ordinances and nuisance remedies remain available if violations recur. One commissioner acknowledged receiving resident emails and said the decrease in odor was encouraging, but staff did not commit to a specific enforcement timeline in the meeting.
Next steps described in the discussion: residents were advised to file complaints with county community development or environmental health if they observe violations; residents said they will submit documented concerns and photos. Commissioners and staff said the county could revisit standards and inspections, and residents requested that the Ag Advisory Board and planning commission conduct further review.
The public comment period closed with no additional speakers and the meeting moved to closed session items.
