Henefer council conditionally accepts Beenfield annexation, forms subcommittee to negotiate agreement

The Henefer Town Council voted April 7 to accept a petition to annex land proposed by Kevin Beenfield, but the approval is conditional on reaching a development agreement that aligns with the town’s master plan.

Mayor Kay H. Richins called for the motion, which Councilperson Alec Deru moved and Councilperson Rush Hotchkiss seconded. The council approved the petition by roll call: Chad West — aye; Kay H. Richins — aye; Alec Deru — aye; Rush Hotchkiss — aye. Councilmember Steve Dallin was recorded absent. The motion conditions the annexation on a future acceptable development agreement and states the petition will be denied if an acceptable agreement cannot be reached.

The council also approved a second motion to form a subcommittee to negotiate the development agreement. Councilperson Chad West moved to form the subcommittee consisting of the mayor and Councilperson Steve Dallin; Alec Deru seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The minutes show the mayor and an absent councilmember were named to the subcommittee for negotiation with the applicant.

During discussion, legal counsel Mason Kjar explained the distinction between legislative and administrative powers and outlined the negotiation process for development agreements. Applicant Kevin Beenfield told the council the parcel is desired for family use and that the applicants do not plan for large-scale development. Resident Donald Fulton urged caution, saying annexation risks overdevelopment and asking the council to consider the broader implications before finalizing any agreement.

Next steps: the subcommittee is expected to meet with the applicant to negotiate terms and then present any proposed development agreement to the full council for approval. If the subcommittee and applicant do not reach an agreement acceptable to the council, the conditional acceptance will be revoked.