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Council gives round-one approval to two open-space applications; COSAC and staff to pursue partnering options
Summary
Council granted Round One approval to Birch Canyon Weed & Seed Coop and Willow Ranch open-space applications and directed COSAC to engage municipalities on small-parcel co-matching; staff to add a municipal engagement scoring metric.
At the June 9 Cache County workshop and June 23 proceedings reflected in the packet, COSAC Chair Chris Sands presented two phase-one open-space applications that the council advanced in Round One.
The Birch Canyon Weed & Seed Coop small-parcel application (adjacent to county Shupe property) scored 49/100 with strong wildlife habitat marks; the council approved Resolution 2026-19 to provide Round One approval. The Willow Ranch application for more than 100 acres near Center Street scored 58/100 and was approved for Round One as Resolution 2026-20. Council discussion noted small parcels under 50 acres inside municipalities may require municipal co-match and directed COSAC to add a scoring metric for municipal engagement. County staff clarified that bond funds can purchase easements but not construct trails; some projects will need municipal cooperation or alternative easement holders such as the Division of Wildlife Resources or the Utah Agricultural Land Trust.
The council recommended COSAC actively reach out to municipalities to gauge their willingness to co-fund small urban-parcel projects and referred HB 237 greenbelt rollback tax policy to the Ordinance and Policy Committee for vetting.
