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Iron County Commission approves amendment allowing up to 64 twin‑home units in Equestrian Trails Ranch
Summary
After a public hearing with opposing residents and developers, the commission approved Ordinance 2026‑17 to permit up to 64 twin‑home units within the Equestrian Trails Ranch master plan; commissioners said overall density will not increase and proponents said the product can provide more affordable ownership options.
The Iron County Commission approved an amendment to the Equestrian Trails Ranch development agreement (Ordinance 2026‑17) to allow a maximum of 64 twin‑home units within the subdivision.
Planner staff outlined that the proposal preserves the project’s previously approved cap of 528 units while substituting some single‑family lots with twin‑home lots that would be split into separate ownership parcels. The planner noted the change would add a housing product not currently in county ordinance and raised review points tied to water connections, infrastructure timing and code section 17‑42. “Each twin home unit wouldn’t … be 2 connections because it's 2 units,” the planner said during the presentation.
Members of the public spoke on both sides. Beverly Flood, a nearby resident, told commissioners that the change would break long‑standing rural expectations: “First of all, never before in the unincorporated Iron County have twin homes been allowed,” she said, arguing the product could change the development’s equestrian character. Developer Dallas Buckner and project representatives countered that twin homes were proposed to promote ownership and to provide a moderately priced housing option within the overall master plan; Buckner said the units were being concentrated near the planned belt route and that the change does not increase total density.
Public‑works director Bruce Anderson raised access and maintenance concerns for county roads near higher concentrations of units, noting curbside parking and service burdens in denser areas. Proponents responded that roads, curb and gutter, and other infrastructure will be built to the same standards under the approved subdivision plan.
Commissioner Mike moved to approve the ordinance amendment; the motion was seconded and put to a verbal vote. The motion carried and the commission directed staff to finalize ordinance language and recording steps. The formal motion on the record read: “I’d move to approve the proposed development agreement amendment, ordinance 2026‑17, between Iron County and Equestrian Trails Ranch LLC, request to allow a maximum of 64 twin home units within the master plan subdivision located between 4000 North, 4600 North, and 3700 West, and 4400 West.”
The commission did not record individual roll‑call votes in the public transcript; the motion was approved by voice vote.
