Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zone Change topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends zone change for Panguitch‑area sawmill, conditions turning‑lanes
Summary
The Garfield County Planning Commission recommended changing three combined parcels adjacent to Highway 89 from agricultural to industrial to allow a sawmill (Kings Peak Lumber), conditioning its recommendation on installation of UDOT‑required turn lanes; the county commission will decide Sept. 23.
The Garfield County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the County Commission approve a zone change from agricultural to industrial for parcels north of Panguitch along Highway 89 to allow a proposed sawmill operation identified by owners as Kings Peak Lumber.
County planning staff opened the item and the applicant, Dave Fiala, described plans for a sawmill, dry kiln and planer. Fiala said the initial operation would run a day shift and "eventually employ about 30 people"; a partner, Troy Pearson, said the project has been under development for roughly a decade and that the team has logging and infrastructure experience in nearby counties.
The commission discussed a traffic study—prepared for the applicant and submitted in August—that staff summarized as finding the project would generate approximately 68 trips on an average weekday, including 19 trips in the morning peak hour and 19 in the evening peak hour, and that a northbound right‑turn deceleration lane and additional acceleration/left‑turn lanes for delivery vehicles likely would be required. Staff emphasized that UDOT conditions and a conditional access permit drive traffic‑related requirements.
Neighbors speaking during the public hearing raised safety and quality‑of‑life concerns. Resident Chris Colleros said, "I remember feeling like God brought me home," and asked the commission to consider the effect of industrial traffic on a nearby school bus stop. Residents reported visible dust after land clearing, worries about nighttime lighting and noise, and concerns about property values and notification; one resident said they would submit a letter from an attorney during the rebuttal period.
The applicants responded that machinery would be sited inside buildings where feasible, that lighting would be directed downward to minimize skyglow, and that log deliveries would occur primarily during daytime shifts. They also said they paid for the traffic study and would coordinate with UDOT and county staff to determine how and when access improvements would be built.
On a motion by a commission member (Speaker 3), seconded by another member (Speaker 2), the commission voted to recommend approval of the zone change to the county commission with the requirement that any UDOT‑required turning lanes be installed before issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Staff noted that planning can issue building permits but that the certificate of occupancy (CFO) would not be released until external agencies (for example, UDOT for ingress/egress) sign off on required improvements.
The planning commission's recommendation is advisory; the Garfield County Commission is scheduled to decide on the zone change at its meeting on Monday, September 23. Residents were reminded they may submit written comments to the county commission (10‑day comment period under state law).
