Kenneth Carpenter

The agenda for the meeting included several public hearings and action items. Key discussions involved considering a zone change request from Residential 5 Acre (R-5) to Residential ½ Acre (R-½) for approximately 73.6 acres located on Midvalley Rd. A presentation and public hearing were scheduled for a proposed Antelope Data Center campus, consisting of five buildings totaling approximately 1.35 million square feet each, plus an on-site power plant. Additionally, the Commission considered amendments to the County Code regarding R4K General Requirements and standards for Vehicle Storage Lots, specifically hard surface requirements and lighting. Staff reports from the Building Department, County Attorney, and Planner & Services Coordinator were also planned.

Key discussions involved a public hearing and recommendation for a significant zone change request by VTRE Development, LLC, proposing conversion from Agriculture 20 Acre (A-20) to Industrial (I) and Light Industrial (LI). Concerns were raised by adjacent property owners regarding traffic flow, roundabout sizing, and industrial lighting intensity, prompting staff to clarify existing zoning allowances and ongoing lighting ordinance discussions. The Commission also considered and recommended approval for a development agreement with Equestrian Trails Ranch, LLC, for a 264-acre mixed-density residential project featuring private amenities, horse trails, and non-standard roadways, contingent on specific maintenance responsibilities. Furthermore, the preliminary subdivision for Phase 1 of Equestrian Trails Ranch (48 lots) was approved contingent upon the overarching Development Agreement approval. A request to revoke a Conditional Use Permit for a recycling processing facility was discussed, with staff recommending no immediate action to pursue compliance alternatives with the applicant first. Finally, the preliminary subdivision for Adams Farm Subdivision Phase 1 (19 lots) was accepted.

The agenda for the meeting included the approval of warrants, departmental reports from various county entities, and a section dedicated to claims for payment from February 9, 2026, through March 8, 2026. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public hearing and possible approval for a proposed zone change (Ordinance 2026-5) concerning a property rezoning from R-5 to R-1/2 near Cedar City. Other items included public comments, a request to waive a zoning application fee, review and possible adoption of a corrective ordinance amendment for Ordinance 2026-2, a review of the Utah Shakespeare Festival for 2026, and review of legal services agreements. Discussions also covered ratification of 2026 Public Defender contracts, a proposed MOU with Southwest Technical College for medical response, and discussion regarding property tax deferral for a specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN). The meeting concluded with personnel matters involving multiple promotions and new hires across the Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Office (Patrol and Corrections), Landfill, Road, Weed Department, Council on Aging, and Fair departments, as well as a request for consideration regarding increasing the Sheriff's Office Patrol Corporal leadership structure.

The meeting agenda includes opening procedures, approval of warrants, and departmental reports covering the Attorney, CJC, Justice Court, Victim Advocate, CICWCD, and Commission. Key discussion items involve a public hearing for the disposal of real property parcels APN: A-20 and A-3-1. Furthermore, there will be a public hearing and possible approval for a zone change (Ordinance 2026-3) from A-20 to I and LI for property generally located on Iron Springs Road. Another public hearing concerns a proposed Development Agreement (Ordinance 2026-4) with Equestrian Trails Ranch, LLC, for planned development. Other items include public comments, discussion on a MOU between Iron County Emergency Management and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, relinquishment of a UDOT permit, a MOU regarding historical artifacts storage, discussion on property tax deferral for APN: D-502-11, review of Commission assignments and boards for 2026, and several personnel actions across the Attorney, Sheriff's Office (Patrol and Corrections), I.T., and Road departments, including new hires and promotions.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding a Zone Change request from Rural Agriculture 20 Acre (RA-20) to Commercial (C) for approximately 22.48 acres, intended for a storage facility and billboards; the staff recommended denial due to infrastructure absence and incompatibility, while applicants argued for commercial evolution near I-15. Following extensive public comment from both applicants and neighboring residents concerned about urban sprawl and property impacts, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial to the County Commission. A second public hearing addressed a County Code Amendment to modify the Table of Uses, Definitions, Guesthouse Regulations, and introduce new regulations for Vehicle Storage Lots. The Commission discussed details concerning 'hard surface' requirements, lighting standards, and guesthouse rules, ultimately voting to recommend approval to the County Commission, with clarification forthcoming on lighting and hard surface definitions. Discussions were also held regarding a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change concerning the Tier II boundary adjustments near Cedar City and Enoch to steer development closer to municipal boundaries. Finally, a proposal to revise boundaries and safety zones in the airport overlay zoning around the Cedar City Airport was briefly introduced pending further review with Cedar City staff.