Cache County Planning Commission – 07-09-2026

- The commission approved the June 4 minutes and the night’s agenda, then approved two consent items: the Petersborough Schoolhouse First Amendment and the Hideout at Scare Canyon First Amendment. - The public hearing on the solar project ordinance amendment focused on refining land-based solar standards, especially how the 20-acre threshold and setback/gateway rules should apply. Commissioners also raised questions about whether the county open space advisory committee can be used in the land-use process, and staff said floating solar would likely be handled separately. - A homeowner asked whether the solar ordinance would affect rooftop or small-scale residential solar. Staff clarified that standard domestic rooftop solar and very small yard installations would not be impacted in the same way as larger commercial projects. - The short-term rental ordinance discussion drew the most debate, with staff presenting a restrictive draft based on Logan City and Washington County models. The proposal would require owner occupancy, a CUP in several residential/recreation zones, annual fire inspections, on-site parking only, occupancy limits, and prohibition of detached structures like RVs, trailers, or converted outbuildings. - Several commissioners objected that the short-term rental draft was likely too restrictive and could effectively ban most rentals. They suggested a simpler approach centered on business licensing, fire inspection, and occupancy limits, with stronger treatment of problematic “party house” uses through existing recreational facility rules. - Staff said many of the short-term rental inquiries are from people trying to comply with the rules, not from complainants. The commission leaned toward revisiting the issue in a workshop so members can refresh the prior discussion and better align on the county’s actual concerns before moving forward. - The Holly Oaks Airport item was presented as an update on a long-running revocation issue tied to a private airport CUP in Mendon. Staff explained that a 2022 revocation appeal was never fully resolved after process changes and staffing turnover, and that new complaints and a 2025 aircraft incident prompted the county to restart revocation proceedings. - Adjacent property owners gave strong public comments opposing the airport, arguing the runway protection zone overlaps homes and neighboring parcels and creates an unacceptable safety hazard. The airport owner’s attorney countered that the county lacks jurisdiction to restart the case because the prior appeal was never finalized, while county legal staff said restarting the process is necessary to give due process. - The commission discussed whether to revisit the airport matter in August or September and asked staff to provide the historical FAA/legal materials so members can review the full record. Multiple commissioners emphasized the issue needs to be resolved quickly because of the long delay and ongoing safety concerns. - Staff also gave an update on the subdivision ordinance item: the executive office is assembling a small working group to refine the draft before it returns to the commission. The current direction is to continue revising the ordinance, including possible changes related to water/sewer requirements and subdivision limits, before another hearing.