The Utah County Commission continued discussion of a proposed ordinance that would alter how the county reviews nonconforming parcels of record, moving the review lookback period from 1942 to 1992.

Greg Ross of Community Development said the amendment would make it easier for many property owners to obtain permits by limiting reviews to divisions back to 1992, rather than the earlier starting point. He said the change is intended to help property owners who bought land without full awareness of earlier subdivision rules while preserving health-and-safety reviews.

Property owners from Sundance and North Fork raised detailed objections. Chris Brown (public commenter) and others argued that many parcels were legally subdivided before 1942 and that moving the date to 1993 would change longstanding expectations about vested rights, road frontage and the county’s authority to accept road dedications. Brown urged an administrative path for owners who can meet current health and safety requirements, noting long lead times to secure water and other utilities. Janice Reeb and other residents asked that staff account for parcels that predate county zoning.

Community Development staff and commissioners discussed a three‑year “build window” for qualifying lots, a one‑acre minimum limit included in the staff proposal, and the need to ensure that a change does not remove the county’s discretion to accept or reject road dedications. Commissioners voted to continue the item for two weeks so staff can draft language that better balances property-rights ombuds recommendations with health, safety and county policy.

The commission set the matter to return at the Jan. 28 meeting for further consideration.