Washington County approves Trees Ranch rezoning and project plan for 1,960‑acre scenic‑byway development

Washington County commissioners approved a zone change and a tied project plan and development agreement for Trees Ranch, a proposed low‑density development of about 1,960 acres adjacent to Springdale.

The commission adopted ordinance 2024‑1275‑O to rezone the property from open‑space conservation/open‑space transition zones (OSC/OST 20) to PD SBOZ (planned development scenic byway overlay zone) and, by separate resolution (R‑2024‑3360), approved the project plan and a 20‑year development agreement that binds the county and the applicant, Perunaweep Canyon LLC (aka Trees Ranch).

Scott, the county presenter, said the project would include about 75 transient units (approximately 50 freestanding hotel rooms and up to 25 private residences for future sale) and 19 non‑transient single‑family dwellings, spread across the acreage in a "horizontal hotel" resort layout. The county presentation emphasized design and aesthetics, low unit density (roughly one unit per 80 acres overall in undeveloped areas), and significant open‑space protections. County counsel and project counsel described a development agreement that leaves utilities and most infrastructure privately owned while placing conditions on open space and public access.

Key development terms described to the commission include at least 1,200 acres of undeveloped open space with no structures, an on‑site well and a proposed 400,000‑gallon water storage tank, private sewer and utilities (except power), emergency loop roads and helipads to mitigate the site's single legal access, and a vested‑density clause that preserves the built density through the 20‑year term. The presentation said the planning commission unanimously recommended approval.

Commissioners also secured commitments on the Zion Corridor Trail: the developer will work with Springdale to grant a perpetual public easement for the trail along the front of the property, and if Springdale does not finalize the agreement the county may accept the easement itself to preserve the connection identified in the county's master plan.

The commission voted by voice on both the ordinance and the resolution. The project sponsors and staff told commissioners the project and agreement were the product of an extensive review, including fire, utility, sewer and DEQ coordination.

The development agreement and project plan documents were described as available to commissioners and the public for review; staff indicated a final proofreading would be completed before the documents are attached to the administrative record. The approval authorizes the zoning and binds the project plan and development agreement together as the governing approvals for the Trees Ranch proposal.

What happens next: project implementation relies on the development agreement and project plan exhibits and any permits required by cities or state agencies; staff said the vested density expires at the end of the 20‑year term if the project remains incomplete. The commission noted the approvals are the first legislative and administrative steps and that subsequent permit reviews and construction approvals will follow.