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Commission debates Area of Impact expansion and smaller lot strategy near Soda Springs
Summary
Commissioners discussed extending the Area of Impact up to 1.5 miles and encouraging smaller lot sizes closer to the city to guide future subdivisions and protect farmland; they recommended city representation at county planning meetings and written comments to the county.
At its Sept. 9 meeting the Soda Springs Planning and Zoning Commission discussed strategies for guiding growth around the city, including extending the Area of Impact (AOI) and encouraging smaller lot sizes closer to city boundaries to support future subdivisions and public utilities.
Commissioner Chris Guedes suggested extending the AOI to about 1.5 miles and favoring smaller lots nearer the city; Engineer Alan Skinner and Commissioner Stephen Simmons explained that the existing AOI varies by direction, roughly between one mile and 1.5 miles. Vice Chairman Lori Anne Lau raised farmland-preservation concerns (she cited a secondhand account from the NRCS office) and recommended the city send specific, written comments to county planning staff; commissioners agreed that a city representative should attend county planning meetings to advocate for lot-size clarity and consistency. The commission summarized recommendations that include advocating for smaller lot sizes closer to the city and considering an AOI extension.
No final policy or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners agreed to formalize recommendations and communicate them to the county and the City Council for consideration.
