Planning commission recommends rezoning at 200 North and 400 West to industrial

The Ephraim City Planning Commission on Aug. 27 recommended that the City Council rezone property at 200 North and 400 West from General Commercial (C‑2) to industrial to allow an existing steel‑building business to expand.

At a public hearing, the applicant, who identified himself as Craig, told commissioners the expansion requires shifting the building to the east to provide a 60‑foot fire lane and setback. Craig said survey stakes confirm the property lines and that moving the building onto the adjacent parcel is necessary to meet fire‑lane requirements.

Neighbor Paul Freeman, who owns three acres just east of the site, told the commission he is comfortable with a 60‑foot setback and said he and the applicant agreed the fence would be an 8‑foot Rhino Rock wall with cost‑sharing between parties. City staff noted that any fence higher than seven feet requires City Council approval and advised the commission to include the request with the rezoning application so council can consider it when the rezoning reaches them.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the rezoning; the motion was seconded and commissioners present voted aye. The commission’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final action next week.

The rezoning would change the parcel’s land‑use designation to permit the applicant’s industrial expansion. The commission’s staff review and the applicant’s agreement on setback and wall design were cited as the basis for the recommendation.

The Planning Commission closed the public hearing before taking the recommendation vote.