Council proceeds with industrial area rezone

The Sundance City Council will move ahead with the process to rezone a 48.5-acre swathe of property on the south edge of town that belongs to Croell Companies. Owner Roger Croell made the request in June, telling the council it would facilitate construction of new buildings on the property to address the company’s recent and future growth.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the council held a public hearing on the matter, at which several residents from the southern part of town stood to speak. Though there was no significant opposition, speakers asked questions and shared minor concerns.

The first to speak was Dave Tonak, who said he lives in a property owned by his children on Black Buttes Road and was present on their behalf. He asked simply what the project will entail, as it’s hard to tell if one is in favor without knowing the plan.

Tonak stressed that his son is strongly supportive of any and all new business within Sundance and also supports the man camps for Croell Companies workers, on the basis that workers who are staying in town are also eating and shopping in town. However, he said, they would like to know a little more about the potential layout, and would prefer to have buildings near their home than, for example, storage yards.

“Put your mind at ease,” responded Croell, who provided more information about the plans.

The proposal, he said, is to rezone the whole area, then leave a 300-foot buffer next to the houses. If anything is ever built there, he said, it would be more houses. A good road would also be built to accommodate those new houses.

Croell said the buildings in question would be for additional staff, because the business has been expanding recently. They would likely be located at end of the property near the sewer lagoon.

Bill Myers offered a brief comment about the loss of the viewshed from his home. His picture window faces it, he said, and he has a telescope that he enjoys looking through.

“That’s a beautiful view out across that field, I look at it a lot,” he said.

Rick Benavidez shared concern about property values for homes that are adjacent to industrial zoning. Acknowledging Croell’s comment that any future construction on the residential end would be homes, he pointed out that those new homes would not have a 300-foot buffer.

Theresa Benevidez asked if the city could make sure something is in place to prevent semi truck traffic from utilizing the road in the residential area. Mag chloride has helped a lot with the dust, she said, but it would be preferable to keep larger vehicles to a minimum.

Mayor Paul Brooks stated that a weight limit already exists and he would ask deputies to patrol the road more often.

Chuck Durfee asked what kind of buildings would be added, saying he would not like to see a smelly asphalt plant built next to residences. Brian Marchant, General Manager, said this is highly unlikely to ever happen.

The smallest town in which Croell Companies has an asphalt plant is Douglas, he said, with a population around 6000. Building such a plant in a smaller town is cost-prohibitive partly due to low manpower, and partly due to transport costs; it is preferable, he said, to have the plant next to the pit so there is no need to double haul.

Brooks also commented that an asphalt plant would need Department of Environmental Quality approval.

Council Member Joe Wilson asked if Croell Companies would be willing to consider privacy fencing on the border. Mayor Brooks, however, objected to the question as it would need to be an enforceable and universal city ordinance.

“We cannot piecemeal it,” he said.

Such a requirement should go through Land Use Planning, Brooks said, encouraging Wilson to bring it up with the committee rather than during a zoning hearing.

Marchant did respond to the question, stating that it’s not something the company really wants to commit to at this time. Croell later added that the idea had been explored, but would likely cost “mega dollars”.

Council Member Callie Hilty asked if there would also be a residential buffer to the north, referring to the potential for the landowner who owns the 67.5 acres north of Croell Companies’ land to develop housing. Croell said he would not agree to that as it would not make sense to give up 300 feet of his land for a development that is not actually taking place.

Pat Donahue of Western Properties stood to speak on behalf of the owner of that land, which is also the only land close enough to the potential rezone to have been notified of the public hearing. He noted that the town is “crippled” for places to live and housing development.

Had COVID-19 not hit and construction prices risen, he said, the land would probably already be under development. It’s still in the works, he said, sharing his belief that the owners are great to work with and would be an asset for the community as developers.

However, Donahue said, he does not believe the owners are objecting to the rezone, though they would like to ensure a cohesive appearance.

Realtor Jeremy Holt commented in support of more housing in that area, stating that he has worked with Croell Companies staff members and the first thing they always ask is whether there’s a place near the headquarters they can buy.

Hearing no serious issues from the public with the proposal, the council moved to continue on with the process of rezoning the property to industrial.