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Commissioners approve 72-acre Barker rezone east of Soda Springs
Summary
The Caribou County Board of Commissioners approved a request from landowner Dow Barker to rezone roughly 72 acres east of Soda Springs from Agricultural to Low-Density Residential after a public hearing featuring supporters citing housing needs and opponents warning of spot zoning and loss of agricultural land.
The Caribou County Board of Commissioners voted April 13 to approve a zoning map amendment requested by landowner Dow Barker to change approximately 72 acres east of the City of Soda Springs from Agricultural (AG) to Low-Density Residential (LDR).
Helen Barker, Planning & Zoning, opened the public hearing and explained the property's location—east of Soda Springs at the end of Gunnell Road—and that Planning & Zoning had taken no formal recommendation after a motion there failed for lack of a second. Dow Barker told the commissioners he previously parceled the property into lots and said there is demand for larger residential parcels: "there is a need for people to purchase ground to build a home," he said, describing proposed splits into one 20-acre parcel and two 25-acre parcels.
Supporters included Steven Barker, identified as a school board chairman, who said limited local housing is hampering staff recruitment. Opponents, including Kristine Wedertz and Mark Walquist, urged denial on grounds of agricultural preservation, infrastructure capacity, and precedent against spot zoning; Wedertz specifically cited the comprehensive plan and protections for agricultural land in asking the board to deny the request.
Commissioners discussed the risk of spot zoning and the property's eligibility for a two-piece split under current rules. After deliberation, Commissioner Bryce Somsen moved to approve the zone amendment; Commissioner Mark Mathews seconded the motion and the board voted to pass it.
The approval changes the county zoning designation for the described parcel from AG to LDR. The commissioners did not attach a secondary ordinance or development conditions during the vote; any subsequent subdivision, infrastructure improvements or building permits will be subject to standard county permitting processes and applicable code requirements.
The decision follows the Planning & Zoning hearing and public comment period and resolves the specific map amendment request before the board; further land-use applications for the parcel must complete the county's permitting and review steps.
