Planning commission recommends zone change for 24-acre Lynnco Acres parcel after sewer and traffic debate

The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 15 recommended a zone-map change for four Lynnco Acres parcels — a 24.14-acre site off N 4000 E — from Residential-One to Suburban Neighborhood, but the decision followed extended discussion about sewer availability, irrigation and traffic.

Applicant Devin Durrant told the board he wants to "develop a beautiful neighborhood that is consistent with this area which is surrounded by residential." Neighbor Denis K. Lybe Jr. opposed the change, saying additional housing would worsen traffic around 4000 East and nearby schools. Mark Olsen, who said he helped the applicant, testified the developer "plans to add the lots to sewer and add that to the covenants," and that irrigation water is present but might require system changes for smaller lots.

Commissioners debated whether the Suburban Neighborhood designation requires municipal sewer and water to permit smaller (.25-acre) lots or merely the potential to connect. Planning and Zoning Administrator Milton Ollerton said the property could currently be developed with individual septic systems — "they could put 24 individual septics on that property right now," he said — and noted there is a signed development agreement involving sewer placement with the City of Rigby.

After an initial motion to recommend approval failed on a 3–3 split, the commission passed a later recommendation 5–1, with Commissioner Lacy Barney the sole dissent. The motion included staff recommendations and an added recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners consider development agreements that would address the commission's desire for sewer hookup as future subdivisions are proposed. The commission's recommendation is advisory; the County Commissioners will make final decisions and could accept, modify or reject the recommendation.

The hearing record shows neighbors raised three concrete concerns: (1) potential impacts to irrigation and well systems, (2) existing traffic congestion on 200 North/4000 East and near schools, and (3) whether the zone change would enable higher densities if sewer becomes available. Commissioners said technical questions (for example exact sewer lines and timing) will be resolved during subdivision or development-application reviews.