Planning commission schedules public hearing for Hidden Springs rezoning request

Fruit Heights planning commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing on a rezoning request for two parcels owned by the Hidden Springs Homeowners Association. The applicant, introduced in the meeting as Scott Baird, has applied to rezone the lots from R1-12 to R1 to allow uses such as keeping goats to manage vegetation.

"He wants to be able to put some goats and some stuff in there to eat the keep it kinda just chewed down," said Speaker 5, describing the applicant's proposal to manage weeds and phragmites through grazing. Speaker 5 said the parcels currently have limited access and are overgrown, and that the HOA appears not to be maintaining the detention pond and adjacent vegetation.

Commissioners asked whether federal or state agencies might limit changes. Speaker 3 raised the Army Corps of Engineers because of the water features behind nearby homes; Speaker 5 said the corps is primarily concerned with water and runoff and that vegetation removal alone is unlikely to trigger Corps restrictions. Speaker 5 also said the parcels are intended to be owned in perpetuity by the HOA and that the city attorney is reviewing whether—and how—the property can transfer to a private owner.

Because rezoning is an ordinance change under city rules, the commission will advertise and hold a public hearing at its next meeting to receive input and finalize details. Staff noted they will work through easement, access, and HOA transfer questions before that hearing.

The planning commission did not act on the rezoning during this meeting; it only authorized the public-notice and hearing process.