Oquirrh Wood Ranch team seeks guidance on community plan; commissioners press to protect Pony Express Trail

On July 1, 2026 the Fairfield Planning Commission heard a presentation from Jared Westhoff, the Oquirrh Wood Ranch project representative, on a working draft community plan and asked the development team to refine standards to better reflect the town's rural and historic character.

Westhoff said the draft plan is intended to establish a site‑specific land‑use vision, development standards, and an overall character for the project. The draft planning goals described by Westhoff included preserving Fairfield's rural character, protecting open space, avoiding high‑density residential development, promoting responsible economic activity, encouraging water conservation through drought‑tolerant landscaping and xeriscaping, and protecting dark skies.

Commissioners supported those general goals but asked the team to explicitly include preservation of Fairfield's historic resources, particularly the Pony Express Trail. Commissioner Wayne Taylor, chair, and other commissioners pressed for options to preserve portions of the trail alignment as a pedestrian or equestrian corridor and for the developer to evaluate monuments or markers where realignment makes complete preservation infeasible.

The presentation outlined a land‑use plan that would combine one‑acre ranch lots and larger three‑ to five‑acre residential lots intended to provide a transition to surrounding development while retaining opportunities for agricultural uses such as horses and barns. Commissioners reviewed preliminary development standards including setbacks, building placement and height limits, accessory dwelling unit guidance, and increased garage setbacks to accommodate larger vehicles and trailers common to ranch properties. The Commission asked the team to revise setback diagrams and return with updated graphics.

Discussion of landscaping emphasized drought‑tolerant plants, limited irrigated turf, and measures to reduce outdoor water consumption; commissioners expressed concern that large, unimproved portions of residential parcels could become overgrown and create wildfire hazards if not maintained. The development team proposed a limited homeowners association to manage landscaping and nuisance standards; Attorney Brad Christopherson advised that enforcement of private covenants should remain with the HOA and that the Town should continue to enforce its own nuisance ordinances only when applicable. Planner Jim Spung confirmed properly recorded covenants would provide the legal framework for private enforcement while protecting the Town from additional liability.

Transportation concepts presented included proposed collector-road alignments, a planned extension of 900 South, and proposed intersections with State Route 73. Westhoff said the proposed realignment of Lehi‑Fairfield Road was intended to improve traffic safety by creating safer intersections and reducing vehicle speeds; commissioners asked the team to evaluate methods to retain or commemorate the historic trail corridor in any new alignment.

The team also described preliminary water and sewer concepts, including potential connections to Eagle Mountain's sewer treatment system through an interlocal agreement, construction of a lift station, collection line sizing for future growth, and water system improvements such as new production wells, storage and booster stations. Commissioners discussed future maintenance responsibilities and noted that commercial or industrial development could expand the Town's tax base to support additional municipal services.

Attorney Christopherson introduced the proposed site‑specific development ordinance framework that would allow the Town to adopt property‑specific development standards without amending Town‑wide zoning. Commissioners generally agreed the framework would provide needed flexibility while retaining local control.

Chairman Taylor asked that future draft materials be distributed earlier to allow commissioners more time for review. The developer team agreed to revise the plan to incorporate the Commission's direction and return for further consideration.