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Utah County commission adopts broad resolution on American Fork Canyon after heated public debate
Summary
After hours of debate and public comments, the Utah County Commission adopted a broadly worded resolution reaffirming county land‑use values and calling for protection of American Fork Canyon; the vote was recorded on the transcript as 2–1.
The Utah County Commission on an undecided date adopted a resolution reaffirming the county's land‑use principles and expressing support for protecting American Fork Canyon, following a lengthy debate about whether the county should comment on a pending Snowbird ski‑area land‑use application.
Supporters of a reaffirmation argued the resolution offers guidance and a unified stance from the commission. “I’m a 100% committed to protecting American Fork Canyon and making sure that we protect everyone's right to use the canyon,” one commissioner said during debate, adding the commission should engage citizens in a public process before making final judgments.
Opponents said the board should not preempt the Board of Adjustments, which is conducting a public review of Snowbird’s application. One commissioner argued the application met existing ordinance standards and said, “On the face, I see nothing to deny it,” and opposed using a resolution to influence an ongoing administrative process.
Members of the public lectured the commission that stronger action was needed. Mark Allen of Protect and Preserve American Fork Canyon told the commission, “It’s your obligation to be elected official to leave a record,” and said he had turned over pages of documents to legal representatives who could investigate the matter. Environmental advocates pressed for protections for water, viewsheds and recreation access, saying they feared large infrastructure and development in the canyon.
Snowbird board member Colby Rollins, who identified himself as a Utah County resident and Snowbird board member, defended Snowbird's compliance with the public process and said the resort had proceeded through established land‑use channels.
After the discussion and public comment, the commission adopted the broader reaffirmation resolution. The transcript records the motion as passing with the notation “Motion carries 2 1.” The resolution language, as adopted, reaffirms the county’s general plan priorities while avoiding language that would directly override the Board of Adjustments’ pending review.
The commission did not take further immediate action to change ordinances; commissioners said they remain open to formal ordinance amendments through the established legislative process.
The commission scheduled no additional public hearings on this resolution at the end of the session; the Board of Adjustments continues its separate, public review of the Snowbird application.
