Planning Commission forwards recommendation to rezone 48.70 acres in Tremonton to RR-1

The Box Elder County Planning Commission on Aug. 14 unanimously voted to forward a recommendation that the County Commission rezone 48.70 acres near 7931 W 10400 N in Tremonton from Unzoned to RR-1 (Rural Residential — one acre minimum).

At the public hearing, county staff described the difference between the current unzoned classification, which allows a half-acre minimum parcel size under existing allowances, and the RR-1 zone, which raises the minimum parcel size to one acre. Resident Lloyd Wood questioned whether notification had been correct and warned that rezoning could facilitate subdivision in agricultural areas. "The date on his public hearing notification is June 20th, not August 14th," Wood said, asking that the discrepancy be noted on the record. Staff later explained the mailing list had been taken from the original June hearing and that posted notices had the correct date.

Applicant Jeff John told the commission the building on one acre of the parcel has been under construction for years and that, after consulting staff, he excluded the built acre from his home-based business consideration. "I like the idea of a rural residential setting, and it should not have that much of an effect on farming or anything else," John said, describing the request as a modest change to preserve a rural character rather than a plan to develop immediately.

Commissioners discussed how recent county IT issues affected their ability to verify mailed notice dates, then voted to forward a recommendation of approval and adopt the staff conditions and findings. The motion was made by Commissioner Bonnie Robinson and seconded by Commissioner Jared Holmgren and passed unanimously. The forwarded recommendation included standard conditions tying approval to county code compliance and attorney review.