Cache Open Space Advisory Committee - 3 November 2025

- The committee adopted the agenda and the October 6 and October 20 minutes without objection. - The main discussion was a series of pre-application reviews for agricultural conservation easements in the Hyde Park/Smithfield area, including Appenzell Farms, Appenzell Farm East, and KMB. Committee members emphasized that larger, contiguous parcels and combining neighboring family properties would strengthen funding chances with COSAC, NRCS, and LeRay McAllister. - For the Appenzell/Corbridge properties, Brian Nielsen explained the funding structure and requested amounts: the 28-acre Appenzell Farms project is seeking about $623,000 from COSAC, with a possible $623,000 landowner donation and additional future funding from LeRay McAllister and NRCS; Appenzell Farm East is seeking about $165,003 from COSAC, with potential to drop if other grants are awarded; and KMB is seeking about $211,500 from COSAC, also potentially reduced by other funding sources. - Don Corbridge and Kyle Ashcroft described their family farms as multi-generational operations under pressure from nearby development and said their goal is to keep the land intact, farmed, and in the family. The committee encouraged them to work with neighboring landowners to expand the project and improve competitiveness. - Brett Daniels brought a smaller, exploratory pre-application for two parcels north of Smithfield and said he wants to keep the land in green space and continue farming it with cattle. Committee members told him the project would likely need additional surrounding parcels to be competitive. - Dennis Jackson presented a potential Lewiston project of about 153 contiguous acres that has been used partly for Utah State University research and is now transitioning back to family agricultural production. The committee said the project appears strong for agriculture-focused funding, especially NRCS and LeRay McAllister, but less so for trails or scenic-vista criteria. - The committee received an update on the formal Vivian Christiansen application: the Utah Department of Agriculture awarded $525,000 from the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Grant Fund, NRCS funding is still pending, and COSAC’s expected share is now roughly $731,000 based on updated estimates. - The committee agreed to schedule a site visit for the Vivian Christiansen project later in November, with staff to coordinate availability and prepare a report before the next meeting; the site visit will lead to a first-round vote and recommendation to the County Council. - Members discussed an upcoming County Council presentation about the open space mailer and gateway-area outreach, including a map showing why certain landowners received mailers. They also talked about a possible open house/workshop to explain the program and build support. - Staff announced that 2026 committee reappointments will be sent out by email, and members noted there may be a future vacancy or replacement to address.