Council denies rezoning request for parcel 202-17-011C after neighborhood opposition

The Snowflake Town Council voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to deny Ordinance 2020-06, a request to rezone parcel 202-17-011C from R-2 to RT/MF, after extended public comment and questions about access and density.

Scott Allen, a town staff member, introduced the ordinance and said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial. The applicant, Dave Washburn, described the parcel as a "perfect transition property" between commercial uses and the residential area and said he anticipated building apartments and that the parcel was part of a growth area in the town's comprehensive plan. "This piece of dirt is a perfect transition property between the swap meet and furniture store and the residential area there," Washburn said.

Engineer Doug Brimhall said an approved rezoning would be a prerequisite to studying infrastructure needs. "Once there is assurance that the zoning will allow for the development, they can begin to find out how much infrastructure it will take to make it able to build," Brimhall said.

Several long-time neighborhood residents urged denial. "We see this as irrigated pasture, not a piece of dirt," "TJ" Taylor Flake said, arguing the land was intended for single-family homes. Greg Gardner, who owns the 2.36 acres next to the parcel, said proposed multifamily density "is not what that ground is for" and questioned the likely price point for housing. Bruce Packard warned of traffic and impacts on animals, saying, "If they bring these 24 families in on 3 acres, that could be 100 kids and at least 50 more cars."

Councilmembers asked practical questions about density and access. Councilmember Byron Lewis pressed the applicant on how many units were planned; Washburn said "20 families." Councilmember Allison Perkins said she supports development generally but agreed this area may not be ideal for multifamily given its irrigated-land character.

After discussion, Councilmember Cory Johnson moved, and Councilmember Allison Perkins seconded, to deny the rezoning request for parcel #202-17-011C. The motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Lynn Johnson absent.

Why it matters: The decision preserves the existing low-density character along the affected street and defers any multifamily development until a more suitable parcel or a different plan is identified. The vote also underscores recurring tensions in Snowflake between demand for more rental or affordable units and neighborhood concerns about infrastructure and character.

What’s next: The council did not direct staff to pursue alternatives for this parcel during the meeting; any future application would return to Planning & Zoning for recommendation and to the council for action.