Scofield planning commission recommends council deny rezoning of two parcels, citing loss of commercial land

The Scofield Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 9 voted unanimously to recommend that the town council deny a zone-change request affecting parcels 1B0353-000 and 1B0354-0000, saying the change would remove a large share of the town’s commercial land and could landlock an access road.

Commissioners spent the bulk of the 06:15 p.m. meeting reviewing maps, economic analysis from the town’s master plan and a submitted written letter. One commissioner summarized the concern this way: "this particular parcel of property does consume about a little over a third of our town's commercial property," arguing the town should preserve land for future business and revenue. The commission discussed whether the site is wetlands or simply in a floodplain and whether development could be achieved by elevating structures.

Why it matters: Commissioners said retaining commercial land within the town limits is important to attract businesses, create jobs and protect the town’s tax base. Lorraine Bailey cited the town’s master plan and an economic analysis emphasizing that basic-sector businesses drive local economic health, and referenced Utah Code 10-9a-509, which requires a land-use authority to find a "compelling countervailing public interest" to justify denying an applicant’s entitlement when considering land-use approvals.

During discussion, the commission reviewed material from wetlandsgeology.utah.gov. The meeting record shows the site is discussed as falling within a flood‑plain designation but not classified as wetlands on that online map. Commissioners also raised the practical concern that rezoning part of the site to agricultural use could render an adjoining road effectively landlocked, limiting future commercial use.

Action and next steps: The commission voted to recommend denial to the town council. A motion to recommend denial was made by the presiding commissioner and seconded by another commissioner; all four commissioners present voted in favor. The planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the town council, which holds the final authority to approve or deny the zone change. The meeting was closed shortly after the vote at about 06:30 p.m.

Key voices and evidence: Brad Picot shared a printed map from wetlandsgeology.utah.gov and told the group the site, while associated with a flood‑plain designation, "does not fall into... the wetlands." Lorraine Bailey pointed to the town’s master plan and quoted the statutory standard in Utah Code 10-9a-509 to argue the proposed rezoning runs counter to the town’s stated economic-development goals. Commissioners also commented that if growth occurs outside Scofield on county land, the town could lose tax revenue while adding infrastructure costs.

The town council is scheduled to receive the planning commission’s recommendation and will consider the rezoning request in a future public meeting; no council decision was recorded during this session.