Discussion & Consideration of Commissioner Appointment to the Planning Commission
The parties reviewed the letter of interest submitted by Judy Wilkerson of Fruitland, Utah. The parties discussed her involvement in the community and her fit for the board. Commissioner Killian made a motion to appoint Judy Wilkerson as a Planning Commissioner representing the Fruitland area. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion & Consideration of the Outdoor Arena Expansion Planning
Commissioner Miles explained the need to increase the seating capacity at the outdoor arena. They are looking to overbuild the west end area bleachers. There is a need for more restrooms, and the advantage of having them in the gated arena area is beneficial for the spectators. An assignment order from Jones & DeMille Engineering was received. It will cover architectural programming, architectural schematic design, floor plans, elevation drawings, and ADA compliance requirements. The parties discussed the need for the expansion. Commissioner Killian made a motion to accept the assignment order for the outdoor arena expansion planning for $28,500. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion of the Wildland Urban Interface State Fee
Commissioner Miles explained that the State has passed a fee for anyone living in the Wildland Urban Interface areas. The cost that the state has proposed and intends the Counties to collect is $0.20 per square foot of their homes. The map that the state is using hasn’t been compared to the County high-risk area maps. There hasn’t been proper communication with the Counties for their input. The tax is not addressing the real issue. Wildland fire mitigation needs to be addressed, rather than imposing a tax on homeowners, which could lead to increased insurance costs. The Commissioners are opposed to this tax. This should be addressed at a local level, not the state level. Building Inspector Cody Fisher said it should be done on a site-specific basis. The local governing body should be able to determine the risk; many of the properties on the map are situated in the middle of green farmland. Duchesne County has identified high-risk areas and has done a commendable job educating the public about the importance of defensible space.
Discussion & Consideration of a Variance to Pave Private Roads for the Ranches at Pinion Ridge Phase 7 Subdivision Preliminary Plat
Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson presented the findings of facts from the Planning Commission meeting held on September 3, 2025, and explained the variance request from Mountain West Ranches. They are developing a 15-lot subdivision in the Pinon Ridge area. This subdivision is in the A-5 Agriculture zoning district and is several miles away from any other paved-road subdivision infrastructure. While County Road 19 is a paved class-B road, Big Pinion Way is proposed as a class-D road, meeting the Wildland Urban Interface code. Mountains West Ranches is requesting to construct class-D gravel roads instead of paved roads, due to the location, distance to existing pavement, and anticipated traffic flows. The Planning Commission recommended that the County Commissioners approve the variance request. The parties discussed the differences between a class-B gravel road and a class-D gravel road. Class-B is maintained by Duchesne County, where a class-D is not. If this is approved, the Commissioners anticipate that landowners will request to have their roads plowed and maintained. The Commissioners would like to see it developed to a class-B gravel road standard. The parties would like more time to review the request before making a decision.
Discussion & Consideration of a Variance to Pave Private Roads for the Great Basin Estates Phase 6 Subdivision Preliminary Plat
Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson presented the findings of facts from the Planning Commission meeting held on September 3, 2025, and explained the variance request from Mountain West Ranches. They are developing a 14-lot subdivision in the Pinion Forest Area. This subdivision is in the A-5 Agriculture zoning district and is several miles away from any other paved-road subdivision infrastructure. Proposed subdivision access roads are proposed as a class-D road, meeting the Wildland Urban Interface code. A variance is requested to construct gravel roads instead of paved roads, due to the location, distance to existing pavement, and anticipated traffic flows. The Planning Commission recommended that the County Commissioners approve the variance request.