Public hearing on airport overlay (Ordinance 24‑414) recessed to Dec. 16 after concerns over statewide mandate

The Duchesne County Commission recessed the public hearing on Ordinance 24‑414 until Dec. 16, 2024, after staff reports and public comment raised questions about scope and coordination with Roosevelt City.

Planning staff explained the requirement stems from the 2023 Legislature (House Bill 206) and gives jurisdictions until year-end to adopt airport overlay zones. "House Bill 206 ... gave jurisdictions until the end of this year to adopt these airport overlay zones," planning staff said, and recommended the commission coordinate language with Roosevelt City so zoning requirements are consistent inside and outside municipal boundaries.

During public comment, Brad Wells said some stakeholders — including a legislator who voted for HB 206 — had expected the statute to target urban airports and feared the county draft went beyond that intent. "...this was meant for more urban areas," Wells said, arguing the proposed overlay could hinder county landowners and that city-written rules should not disadvantage county properties.

Planning staff and commissioners responded that Roosevelt City’s draft may actually allow higher-density uses in a perimeter zone and that aligning county code with the city’s ordinance could be the least disruptive approach. Staff recommended the commission recess the hearing to Dec. 16 to allow Roosevelt City to complete its ordinance and for counties to revisit the draft if the Legislature changes the law.

Commissioners moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recess the public hearing to Dec. 16, 2024 at 1:45 p.m., when they will again consider Ordinance 24‑414 amending the county zoning code to implement an overlay protecting the Roosevelt Municipal Airport as required by HB 206.

By recessed decision, the commission preserved the public record and left the hearing open for additional public input and for staff coordination with Roosevelt City.