Council backs revised Your Ranch conservation plan; housing exploration removed

County staff presented an updated conservation strategy for the 'Your Ranch' property on Sept. 18 that drops exploration of a community‑housing component and refocuses on meadows, recreation, a homestead area and wetlands mitigation. Staff said the county already has a $5 million option payment and is pursuing an ALE (agricultural land easement) award and a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to close the North Meadows and a recreation parcel first.

Jess Kirby, the staff lead on the acquisition, told council that removing housing from the plan was responsive to community feedback at two open houses and that the updated map preserves the homestead area (possible future county use), a defined wetlands mitigation area and additional county‑owned parcels to be land‑banked pending road‑alignment decisions. Kirby described a potential December partial closing if remaining federal and state match funds are confirmed.

Council members endorsed the revised conservation plan and supported taking a limited county role in land‑banking the Evans parcel (near the Camas annexation) pending Hallam Road alignment, provided the county uses non‑bond funds for that purchase. Several councilors also asked staff to evaluate a Utah State University agricultural‑extension presence on the homestead parcel and to prepare an RCPP application for final conservation of the homestead area.

Speakers from Summit Lands Conservancy and local residents voiced support and cautioned about potential recreational pressures on wildlife and about ensuring adequate trail design and parking. Resident David Cannarella urged planners to consider vehicle and visitor impacts on a relatively small preserved meadow area.

What’s next: staff will proceed with grant applications, finalize conservation easement documents for ALE funding, refine water and wetland mitigation studies and return with more detailed matching‑fund options for a December partial closing.