Council advances Pulson Family View Farm and HatJ Ranch open‑space applications to second round

The council reviewed presentations from Chris Sans of the county open‑space advisory committee and applicants for two gateway conservation projects and voted to move both applications to the second round for additional evaluation and potential funding.

Chris described the Pulson Family View Farm project as three non‑contiguous parcels totaling just under 150 acres used for dry farming; the project scored 63.67 on the advisory committee’s 100‑point evaluation, and the applicant noted the farm has been in the family for more than 150 years and includes a small family cemetery. The HatJ Ranch application comprises seven parcels totaling about 335 acres; its advisory score was 62. Councilmembers noted the projects’ value in preserving gateway scenic vistas along Highway 30.

Both projects received unanimous recommendations from the open‑space advisory committee, and the council approved resolutions 2026‑15 (Pulson Family View Farm) and 2026‑16 (HatJ Ranch) to advance each to round two, where more detailed financials and potential partnership funding (for example, from the Utah Agricultural Land Trust) will be developed.

Next steps: staff and applicants will prepare round‑two materials, including detailed financial proposals and easement language, and return to the council with funding recommendations.