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Ephraim planning commission tables Oberg rezoning after neighbor raises noise and housing concerns
Summary
The commission opened a public hearing on an Oberg/CO Buildings request to rezone two C-2 parcels near 200 North and 400 West to industrial, heard neighbor concerns about noise and proximity to proposed affordable homes, and voted to table the request to allow negotiation between property owners.
A public hearing on July 9 over a request to rezone parcels near 200 North and 400 West from C-2 to industrial was tabled by the Ephraim City Planning Commission to give neighbors and property owners time to negotiate.
Paul Freeman, a nearby property owner and developer, told commissioners he is preparing a 31-home affordable project adjacent to the proposed industrial expansion and urged the commission to avoid zoning that would place heavy manufacturing next to new residences. "We're trying to create affordable living that people can actually purchase," Freeman said, and he warned that diesel fumes, banging and cutting could make the adjacent neighborhood unsuitable. He proposed shifting the industrial designation to Parcel S748 so the industrial block would be more symmetrical and not encroach on the residential area.
City planner Megan told the commission the applicant, CO Buildings, owns the bulk of the parcels in the area and that the proposed zone change aligns with the city's future plan, so no general plan amendment is required. Megan said staff had reviewed the property lines and noted that some adjacent parcels are owned by other parties and that light manufacturing is already allowed in C-2; industrial zoning would remove the residential allowance on those parcels.
Commissioners discussed mitigation options including a solid side-of-screen fence and restricting heavy, noisy activities to a single parcel. Commissioners said they lacked clear information on the applicant's planned operations and that the parties might reach compromises if given time. The commission closed the public hearing by motion and then voted to table the rezoning application, directing staff to contact the property owners and attempt to schedule follow-up (staff suggested the first week of August as a target).
The tabling preserves the current C-2 zoning for the parcels until the commission receives more information or a revised proposal. Next steps are for staff to facilitate discussion between the Obergs and neighbors and return the item when additional details or an agreement are available.
