Planning board forwards Manila RV dump-station rezone to County Commissioners amid public concern

Daggett County Planning and Zoning voted on April 21 to forward a Town of Manila proposal to rezone a parcel from AG-20 to General Commercial so the town can pursue development of an RV dump station. The board’s motion to forward the rezone was made by Allan Wood and seconded by Tamara Twitchell; the minutes record the outcome as "all in favor," and the item will go to the County Commissioners for final action.

Jeff, an engineer with Sunrise Engineering, presented a revised site plan showing vehicle queuing and a wider turning sweep so RVs would not need to back onto Highway 43. Jeff said UDOT had indicated it "will not require it turning on and off of Airport Rd," and the plan includes culverts for drainage, a concrete catch basin intended to limit spills and fences to reduce debris and unauthorized access. Chair Chad Reed read a list of Town of Manila conditions the town proposes to require, covering access and circulation, sewer service and dump-station facilities, potable water, backflow prevention, stormwater containment, spill response and maintenance, solid-waste handling, setbacks and site layout, fencing and screening, signage, hours of operation, lighting and future expansion.

Members of the public pressed the board on safety and permitting. Resident Bill West and Robby West said they worried long RVs or semitrailers could be struck on Highway 43 and that Airport Road turns could damage the road surface; one commenter asked specifically, "Who will be responsible?" Mayor Kathi Knight and Jennifer Allphin, a Manila town employee, told the board the town’s contractor holds the permits the town requires and that the project will improve sewer service for neighboring roads. Resident Mike Mussleman urged the board to table the matter and said he felt "duped" by the process; Chair Reed replied, "No decision has been made," and Commissioner Matt Tippets said staff and the consultant had worked to address concerns raised at the prior public hearing.

Planning staff and commissioners discussed whether the EPA might require additional review if wastewater or greywater could reach adjacent canals; Jeff said the design includes measures to limit spillage, and the board requested that any outstanding agency review be documented before final county action. The Planning and Zoning board did not take a final zoning action that night — it voted only to forward the rezone request and associated materials to the County Commissioners for their decision.

What’s next: The County Commissioners will receive the rezone recommendation and any supporting documents, including the updated site plan and permit/agency-review information. The Planning and Zoning board indicated it expects to see any EPA or UDOT clarifications before the county makes a final determination.