Commission approves Hancock rezoning to Agricultural Heritage Zone amid enforcement concerns

The Box Elder County Commission approved Ordinance 642 to rezone a 5.5-acre Hancock property from RR-20 (rural residential) to the Agricultural Heritage Zone (AHC), a change staff said would regularize agricultural workforce housing already in use on the parcel.

Scott Lyons of Community Development explained the rezone followed a September 2025 enforcement complaint about a mobile home placed on the property. Lyons said the owner could have subdivided the 5.5 acres into multiple 0.5-acre lots under RR-20 but instead applied to rezone to AHC, which is intended to accommodate employer-provided workforce housing. Lyons described staff outreach and explained utilities: independent water and power meters and an older septic system likely connected to the prior mobile home. The planning commission recommended approval with considerations; commissioners adopted the ordinance following a motion and second.

During public comment, Dennis Patterson urged commissioners to adhere to county code and said AHC “specifically limits the number of dwellings per 5 acres to 1,” citing county code 5-1-400 and asserting the current situation has two dwellings. Patterson said the planning commission’s staff recommendations included considerations to ensure compliance with chapter 5 requirements. Commissioners and staff noted building-permit and health-department processes would address septic and utility concerns; the owner remains responsible for ensuring lawful installation and permits.