Payson planning commission remands Mena Creek annexation back to staff over infrastructure and zoning concerns

The Payson City Planning Commission voted unanimously to remand the Mena Creek annexation proposal back to staff for additional work, citing unresolved infrastructure and zoning questions.

Michael, presenting the staff report, recommended denial in its current form, saying the proposal "is not timely" and raises several critical unresolved issues, including a regional sewer lift station with unspecified location and ambiguous "reasonable distance" language, delayed collector-road construction tied to certificates of occupancy, and lot-size and setback deviations that create public-safety and maintenance concerns. The annexation application covers approximately 102.16 acres and requests entitlements for 618 residential units (344 townhomes and 274 single-family homes).

Developer representatives urged the commission to keep negotiating. Brent Bateman, attorney for the applicant, said staff comments contained inaccuracies and that Fieldstone "is not this is not something they're willing to just toss away" and remains willing to continue negotiations. Randy Smith, a project representative, highlighted proposed regional benefits including a lift station sized to serve an estimated 3,162 units and roughly $10,000,000 in off-site improvements.

Commissioners voiced recurring concerns about practical impacts of small lot frontages and short driveway depths on parking, snow removal and emergency response, and about tying critical infrastructure completion to certificates of occupancy. Public works/engineering staff (Travis) told commissioners smaller lots could create “a nightmare” for services and recommended larger lot widths. After deliberation, Commissioner Giedebor moved to remand the proposal to staff for further clarification; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all six commissioners present voting yes.