Developer previews 1,400-acre mixed-use Oquirrh Wood Ranch; Planning Commission raises historic‑route and zoning concerns

Chase Andresi, representing Oquirrh Wood Ranch, told the Fairfield Planning Commission on June 3 that the company owns and is under contract to purchase approximately 1,400 acres adjacent to the Firefly development in Eagle Mountain and intends a mixed-use project that would include industrial, commercial, agricultural and residential ranchette parcels with homes on roughly one- to five-acre lots.

The presentation to the Commission was informational; Andresi said a draft development agreement is being prepared that would include proposed land uses, development standards, road and utility plans and supporting exhibits. ‘‘I have prepared a draft development agreement and am working with Jared, Town Attorney Brad Christopherson, and Mayor Hollie McKinney to finalize supporting materials,’’ he said, adding that maps and engineering exhibits could be provided to the Town within the next few weeks and that he would like an additional Planning Commission work session to review the materials before formal applications.

Co‑Chair Riet pressed the developer on potential effects to the historic Pony Express Trail, noting the importance of preserving the route used for the annual Pony Express Re‑Ride if road realignments are proposed. Riet said the proposed realignment of Lehi‑Fairfield Road ‘‘has been used for many years as part of the annual Pony Express Re‑Ride’’ and urged that preservation be prioritized; Andresi acknowledged the concern and said the alignments presented were conceptual and could be adjusted as planning progresses.

Commissioners also focused on future roadway corridors and traffic impacts. They urged that the project preserve corridors for a northern access route to serve anticipated industrial and commercial development and reduce traffic through Fairfield, and they asked that easements and dedications be addressed in early planning to avoid future access issues, citing past concerns about potential loss of access to Lewiston Road.

Discussion covered zoning and regulatory tools. Commissioners noted portions of the property are currently zoned AR‑40 and identified an AR‑10 parcel as a placeholder for future development. Attorney Brad Christopherson, appearing by Zoom, explained that a Site‑Specific Development (SSD) Zone could be used to define project‑specific standards and that the Town’s contracted planner and legal counsel would prepare staff reports, findings and recommendations to assist Commission review.

Andresi said Oquirrh Wood Ranch has acquired water rights for the holdings and is working with engineers on utility and infrastructure planning; additional information about utilities, road cross‑sections and design standards will be included in future submittals. The Commission discussed proposed ranchette locations and compatibility with surrounding properties, livestock and accessory‑structure rules, and timelines for property owners to begin construction after zoning and approvals are complete.

The presentation was informational; no formal application, rezoning, development agreement or other land‑use request was before the Commission, and no recommendation or action was taken. Commissioners asked staff and the developer to provide detailed maps showing parcel boundaries and adjacent property owners, and they requested a work session to review the draft development agreement and exhibits once prepared.

Votes at a glance: the Commission approved the May 6, 2026 minutes on a 3‑0 vote (Co‑Chair Riet, Commissioner Jamie Mascaro and Commissioner Kelton Butterfield voting yes) and later moved to adjourn by unanimous voice; no land‑use motions were made during the Oquirrh Wood Ranch presentation.