Grantsville council denies Wellstone General Plan amendment and rezone after strong resident opposition

The Grantsville City Council unanimously voted May 18 to deny a proposed General Plan amendment and an associated rezone for the Wellstone Subdivision, following public comment and Planning Commission recommendation against the change.

Community Development Director Bill Cobabe told the Council the Planning Commission had recommended denial and reminded members that General Plan amendments should be rare and reserved for clear mistakes or substantial community change. Jason Harris of Fieldstone Homes said the proposal would use R-1-12 zoning producing roughly 2.2–2.5 units per acre and argued the subdivision would remain single-family and could lower housing costs by an estimated $100,000 per home through smaller lots and lower landscaping and irrigation expense. Harris also said average lot sizes would likely be closer to one-third of an acre rather than one-quarter.

Multiple residents urged denial. Michelle Marriott, who lives adjacent to the proposed area, said reducing lot sizes would "significantly change the character" of the neighborhood and increase pressure on roads, schools and water resources. Kevin Casey warned that approving the amendment could set a precedent for future rezones and urged adherence to the adopted plan. Other speakers, including Marla Spencer, Leisa Lingwall, Katherine Weiss and Rick Barchers, raised similar concerns about infrastructure capacity, irrigation and long-term water availability.

Councilmembers cited the adopted General Plan and neighborhood character in their deliberations. Councilmember Derek Dalton said he opposed developers asking for zoning changes after buying property subject to existing plan designations. Councilmember Jake Thomas and Councilmember Jeff Williams supported maintaining one-half-acre designations to preserve the area's rural feel. Councilmember Rhett Butler said the current one-half-acre designation remained appropriate.

Following discussion, Councilmember Butler moved to deny Ordinance 2026-19 approving the General Plan amendment; Councilmember Dalton seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The Council then denied Ordinance 2026-20 to rezone the same area from R-1-21 to R-1-12 by unanimous vote. Mayor Heidi Hammond presided over the hearings and recorded the votes.

The council's action preserves the existing General Plan and zoning for the Wellstone area; no appeals or additional Council direction were recorded at the meeting.