Commissioners approve rezoning near Winton Road to allow indoor horse arena

The Sweetwater County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning map amendment, Resolution 26-05-ZO-01, that rezones about 40 acres at 237 Winton Road from R2SF (single-family residential) to Agricultural and includes an adjacent Bureau of Land Management parcel to meet the minimum district size for agricultural zoning.

County planner Cassidy Brown told the board the request was submitted on behalf of property owner Donna Binning and applicant Deb Schultz and explained stafffinds the change consistent with the county zoning resolution and comprehensive plan. Brown said the change would allow a horse breeder on the property to build an indoor arena, and that indoor arenas are permitted in agricultural, commercial and industrial zoning districts.

Brown said staff posted public notice April 9 and that the area already contains substantial agricultural zoning; she added that BLM did not submit comments. "Staff finds that it does," Brown said, describing compatibility with the existing topography and neighboring uses.

Commissioners asked staff to confirm the sitelocation and surrounding conditions; Brown said the parcels are north of Rock Springs off Winton Road and that the two parcels under consideration are owned by Donna Binning and the adjacent larger parcel is BLM land. Chair West opened the public hearing and, with no members of the public speaking, commissioners proceeded to a vote.

Commissioner Slaughter moved to approve Resolution 26-05-ZO-01; Commissioner Jones seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

The rezoning will be recorded with the county planning files and, as Brown explained, amending the BLM parcel into the agricultural designation was proposed to meet the 80-acre minimum district size for agricultural zoning. The board did not record any conditions or additional restrictions as part of the motion. The county planner noted staff recommended the agricultural designation as the best fit for the property's intended use and topography.

The board did not receive any written or oral opposition during the public hearing. Next procedural steps include recordation of the approved ordinance amendment and any follow-up permitting required for construction of the proposed arena.