Commission Meeting Minutes

Closed Meeting – Strategy Session to Discuss: The Character, Professional Competence, or Physical or Mental Health of an Individual;

(11:03 a.m.)

Commissioner Miles made a motion to go in and out of a closed meeting for a strategy session to discuss: The Character, Professional Competence, or Physical or Mental Health of an Individual. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Back in Session

(12:23 p.m.)

No action is to be taken.

Recess 12:24 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Commissioner Miles made a motion to recess until the 1:00 pm Public Hearing. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Public Hearing 1:00 PM: Ordinance #24-410 Amending the Duchesne County Zoning Ordinance to add an Overlay Zone to Protect the Duchesne Municipal Airport

Present –

Commissioner Irene Hansen, Commissioner Tracy Killian, Commissioner Greg Miles, Deputy Attorney Tyler Allred, Community Development Director Mike Hyde, Community Development Deputy Director Mike Gottfredson, Duchesne County Residents Cynthia Poulson, Craig Poulson, and Brendette Mecham, and Commission Executive Assistant Melissa Hughes is taking the meeting minutes.

Commissioner Killian made a motion to go into a public hearing. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Community Development Director Mike Hyde explained that in response to House Bill (HB) 206, passed in the 2023 Utah General Legislative Session, Duchesne County proposes to amend its zoning ordinance to establish an airport overlay zone to protect the Duchesne Municipal Airport from incompatible development on lands under County jurisdiction. HB 206 establishes a deadline of December 31, 2024, for this to be completed. Duchesne City will need to consider a similar ordinance pertaining to lands within city limits. A similar ordinance will also be required to protect the Roosevelt Municipal Airport. The proposed ordinance amendment was reviewed during a public hearing conducted by the County Planning Commission on May 1, 2024. Upon hearing numerous concerns and requests for an extension of time to review and comment on the ordinance, the Planning Commission voted to recess the hearing until August 7, 2024, to allow for further study of the regulatory options. Director Hyde recommended that this hearing be recessed until after the August 7, 2024, Planning Commission meeting. Deputy Director Mike Gottfredson stated this ordinance will strongly impact the Oil & Gas industry.

Public Comments

(1:14 p.m.)

Craig Poulson of Duchesne County said he lives about a half mile from the airport runway and is concerned and would like a copy of the proposal and restrictions so he will know how it will affect his land.

Brendette Mecham introduced herself and stated she owns property in the area. She is concerned that the city will have nowhere else to expand if they buy everyone out in the area.

Commissioner Miles made a motion to recess the public hearing associated with Ordinance #24-410, Amending the Duchesne County Zoning Ordinance to add an Airport Overlay Zone to Protect the Duchesne Municipal Airport until August 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.