Commission reviews proposal to allow limited resort uses in agriculture zone; public raises transparency concerns

The Planning Commission reviewed a legislative request by Gregory Wyatt and Jennie Peterson to modify an agricultural zone through a development agreement to permit limited commercial resort uses — including a hotel resort, cabins and a restaurant — on approximately 1,800 acres while preserving the remainder under a conservation easement.

Applicants said the actual hotel footprint would be about five acres and that any future hotel or resort development would require a Planned Unit Development process with full engineering review. Commissioner Gwen Brown said she was initially uncomfortable with rezoning a large acreage to commercial but saw the development agreement as a potential compromise to preserve open land while allowing limited commercial activity. Kanab City representatives raised concerns about long‑term impacts on water supply, transportation and emergency services and suggested annexation and coordinated infrastructure planning if the project moves forward. During public comment, Raquel Bettencourt said the proposed modified agricultural designation "does not currently appear in the County ordinances and may be difficult for the public to fully understand" and asked whether approving such an approach would set a precedent for future developments in agricultural areas.