General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Amalga

Public Body

Planning and Zoning Commission

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Planning and Zoning Minutes

Notice Tags

Administrative Procedure

Notice Type(s)

Notice

Event Start Date & Time

August 11, 2026 07:08 PM

Event End Date & Time

August 11, 2026 08:40 PM

Description/Agenda

Amalga Planning and Zoning Minutes August 11, 2026 7:00 PM 6590 N 2400 W Amalga, Utah 1. Roll Call Commission Members: Nate Noyes, Chairman. Aaron Wood, April Hansen, Kelly Noble, Commission Members. Rayslyn Larsen, Town board. Dave Lee, Secretary. Mayor Dave Wood Visitors: April Turner, Roxanne Freestone, Matt Turner, Mike Morely, Shane Munk, Lisa Aedo, Courtney Wallace, Mike Bouck, Sid Munk, Katherine Munk, Kurtis Falslev, Graiselda Falslev, Jared Wiser, Ed Dursteler, Braden Munk, Jeff Broadbent, Diana Broadbent, Brian Larsen, Howard Kunz 2. Minutes of July 1, 2026. Motion to Approve-Kelly Noble Second-Aaron Wood Motion Carried 3. April Turner wanted to discuss a better way to inform residents. April presented a request to have 'P&Z develop a practical and modern plan for establishing a modern town communications system for Amalga. Take the lead and get the ball rolling.' April provided a 'Proposal for Modernizing Municipal Resident Communications'. This Proposal is attached to the minutes. It is reproduced below in a different font. The Utah Public Website doesn't recognize special printing, so this might help. I am placing quotation marks around it. '''Proposal for Modernizing Municipal Resident Communications Submitted to: Amalga Planning & Zoning Board From: April Turner Date: August 11, 2026 REQUEST I respectfully request that the Planning & Zoning Commission commit to studying options and developing a practical plan to establish a modern Town communication system for Amalga residents and other interested parties, including businesses, landowners, homeowners, renters, and other members of the community who wish to receive Town information. The goal is to create a reliable, accessible, and modern communication system that helps people stay informed about important Town business, public hearings, planning and zoning matters, Town services, emergencies, Town events, and other information that may affect their property, safety, or ability to participate in Town decisions. The purpose of this proposal is not to select a specific system or technology at this time, but to begin the process of determining what communication system would best serve Amalga and its community. Any system developed would supplement-not replace-public notice, publication, posting, mailing, or other notification required by Utah law or Town ordinance. UTAH SUPPORTS ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act recognizes and encourages the use of electronic means to provide public meeting information and notice. This proposal builds upon that approach by considering how Amalga could establish a more accessible and reliable communication system that allows residents and other interested parties to receive important Town information through multiple opt-in communication methods. A modern Town communication system would provide an additional way for the Town to communicate directly with those who choose to receive Town information and would help expand public awareness, participation, and access to Town government. WHY PLANNING & ZONING? I am requesting that the Planning & Zoning Commission take the lead in studying and developing this proposal because establishing a modern Town communication system may require the Town to review and update existing codes, ordinances, and communication procedures. A comprehensive system could include opt-in email, text messaging, and automated telephone notifications for Town-related business, in addition to other communication methods. The Commission can study how these communication methods could be incorporated into the Town's existing processes, identify any necessary code or ordinance changes, and develop a practical plan for consideration and approval by the appropriate Town authorities. OBJECTIVE Modernize Town government by creating a practical, accessible, and reliable way for residents and other interested parties to receive important Town information. OVERVIEW The Town currently has access to some communication channels, including a State of Utah email notification service that individuals may voluntarily subscribe to for Town notices. However, this is not a Town-managed, comprehensive communication system. A modern municipal communication system would allow the Town to communicate more directly and consistently with residents and other interested parties through multiple channels. WHAT COULD A MODERN SYSTEM PROVIDE? A future Town communication system could be designed to provide information such as: Townwide Alerts & Announcements Public Hearings and Planning & Zoning Notices Emergency and Time-Sensitive Information Road Closures and Significant Utility Issues Town Events and Community Information Important Town Projects and Changes Other Information Residents and Interested Parties Need to Know The specific categories and communication methods should be determined through the Commission's review and planning process. COMMUNICATION OPTIONS TO CONSIDER The Commission could study available communication methods and determine which combination would best serve the Town. Email: Useful for detailed information, meeting notices, documents, announcements, and general Town communication. Text Messaging: Useful for brief, important, or time-sensitive information. Telephone Notifications: Useful for urgent or significant information and for people who may not regularly use email or text messaging. Town Website: Provides a central location for current information, documents, notices, and announcements. Official Social Media Pages: A useful way to reach people who regularly use social media and provide timely updates, announcements, event information, and links to more detailed Town information. Other Options: The Commission may consider additional technologies or communication methods as appropriate. A GRADUAL APPROACH Modernizing Town communication does not need to happen all at once. The Town could develop a phased approach based on available technology, costs, staff resources, resident needs, and legal requirements. Possible areas for consideration include: 1. Review: Examine how the Town currently communicates with residents and other interested parties and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. 2. Research: Review available technologies, vendors, costs, capabilities, and examples from other municipalities. 3. Develop: Create a practical communication plan appropriate for the Town of Amalga. 4. Review Codes & Ordinances: Identify whether existing Town codes, ordinances, or procedures need to be updated to support modern communication methods. 5. Establish Guidelines: Determine what types of information should be communicated, through which methods, and under what circumstances. 6. Consider Enrollment & Outreach: Develop a simple, accessible process for residents and other interested parties to voluntarily subscribe to Town notifications, select their preferred communication methods, and manage or update their preferences. Explore practical ways to encourage enrollment through Town communications, community events, utility billing, the Town website, official social media, and other appropriate community channels. 7. Prioritize: Begin with the most important and time-sensitive types of information. 8. Evaluate: Review the system over time and make improvements based on experience and community feedback. These are suggested areas for consideration only and are not proposed as individual actions requiring approval at this time. GUIDING PRINCIPLES Any communication system developed should be: Accessible: Easy for people to find and use. Timely: Information is delivered when it is useful. Reliable: People can depend on the system to receive important information. Clear: Messages are understandable and provide the information people need. Flexible: People can choose appropriate communication methods where possible. Practical: The system is appropriate for the size, resources, and needs of Amalga. Supplemental: It supports, but never replaces, legally required public notice procedures. CONCLUSION The Town of Amalga has an opportunity to take a practical step toward modernizing Town government and improving communication with the community. By studying available technology and developing a thoughtful, gradual plan, the Town can determine how best to provide residents and other interested parties with timely, accessible information while considering the Town's resources, legal requirements, and community needs. ACTION PLAN REQUEST I request that the Planning & Zoning Commission commit to reviewing and studying the Town's current communication practices and available modernization options, with the goal of developing a practical, gradual plan for establishing a modern municipal communication system. The Commission would consider the Town's needs, available technologies, costs, feasibility, legal requirements, existing codes and ordinances, and community accessibility. The Commission would then determine what approach would best serve Amalga and develop a recommendation for consideration through the Town's required approval process. APPROVAL & PRESENTATION Following its review and study, the Planning & Zoning Commission may develop and recommend a suitable plan based on what it determines is most practical and beneficial for the Town. If code, ordinance, or other formal changes are necessary, the recommended plan would proceed through the required review and approval process. Following the appropriate process, the plan would be presented to the Town Council for consideration and approval before implementation. REQUESTED OUTCOME That the Planning & Zoning Commission commit to reviewing and studying opportunities to gradually modernize municipal communication, with the specific approach, technology, and implementation steps to be determined through that process. The goal is to develop the best practical plan for Amalga to provide residents and other interested parties with timely, accessible, and reliable information about Town announcements, public hearings, planning and zoning matters, emergencies, time-sensitive issues, Town events, and other important community information, while continuing to comply with all legally required public notice procedures. Example of A Tiered Notification System To avoid overwhelming residents, alerts should be matched to the urgency and importance of the information: Type of Information Recommended Channels Emergency / Urgent Phone + Text + Email Public Hearings Text + Email Significant Land-Use Text + Email Meetings (Council/P&Z) Email + Optional Text Water / Utility Issues Text + Email Major Town Projects Email + Optional Text Routine Announcements Email + Website/Social M+Optional Text''''' Nate Noyes commented that he doesn't like the current book, that it should be thrown out and a new one written. Everyone agreed that the Town needs a better way to let people know what is going on. The question is who is going to do it. 4. Zoning Clearance Application for a home from Kurtis Falslev. New plans were provided that showed that the house would not be in the easement of the canal and not be in the wetlands. Chair Nate Noyes is not happy with some of the information received from Kurtis. He feels he has been misled. Nate had the Smithfield fire marshal out and he said no. We need to have the approach changed, and a perc. test. Motion to Table until documentation is available-Nate Noyes Second-Kelly Noble Motion Carried 5. Zoning Clearance Application from Courtney Wallace for Schreiber Cheese. Demolition and rebuild loading docks on SW corner. Set backs looked good. Motion to Approve-April Hansen Second-Nate Noyes Motion Carried 6. Discussion with Roxanne Freestone on moving a manufactured home from a different location in Amalga to a different lot. Based on information the Commission has, if the home is bundled into the parcel's tax ID rather than taxed as personal property, it cannot be legally detached and moved without a formal legal reversal. Roxanne will visit the county and see how the home is recorded. She will come back to us at a later date. 7. Jeff Boadbent presented a Citizen's Petition Opposing the Proposed Annexation of Parcel 13-040-0001. 'CITIZENS PETITION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF PARCEL 13-040-0001, OWNED BY DAKOTA BODILY, INTO THE TOWN OF AMALGA To: Mayor David Wood, the Town Council of Amalga Town, and the Amalga Town Planning and Zoning Committee: We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and interested parties, respectfully petition the Amalga Town Council to deny any future request to annex Cache County parcel number 13-040-0001 into Amalga Town. We believe annexation of this property is inconsistent with the Town's General Plan, zoning objectives, and stated commitment to preserving Amalga's rural agricultural character. Background: On July 8, 2026, the Amalga Town Board considered a request by Mr. Dakota Bodily that his property, Cache County parcel number 13-040-0001, be annexed into the town on Amalga. Prior to the meeting Mr. Bodily had requested the property be annexed into Amalga under the Light Industrial Zone District, but now indicated he instead wanted it to be added in the Agricultural Zone District. The Town Board seemed surprised by this change and after a short discussion, voted 3-2 against annexation. Basis for this petition: 1. Minutes from 2025 Town Board meetings held on August 13, September 10, October 8, and November 12, as well as minutes from the April 8, 2026 Town Board meeting clearly reveal the true purpose of the annexation request is to support development of a business park that would dramatically increase the industrialization of Amalga by addition of 20 or more new businesses. As a whole, the record related to this annexation effort shows that Mr. Bodily's statement to the Town Board on July 8 that his land would remain in agriculture is inconsistent with his prior actions (see item 2) and comments in Amalga Town public records. Because zoning may be changed after annexation, many residents remain concerned that Agricultural zoning would serve only as an interim step toward future industrial development. 2. Cache County previously considered and ultimately denied a request by Mr. Bodily to rezone this property from Agricultural to Light Industrial. As reflected in the March 5, 2026 Cache County Planning Commission minutes, commissioners questioned whether industrial zoning was compatible with the surrounding area, and the Commission recommended denial of the Rezone to the Cache County Council. This history raises concerns that annexation into Amalga may be intended to accomplish a development objective that was not approved by the County. 3. We are gravely concerned about the impact of industrialization on the town water supply and other infrastructure. The minutes cited under item 1 above reveal there have been persistent and legitimate concerns among Town Board members about the potential water needs for such a project. We share those concerns. Our town hasexperienced water shortages in the past and the long-term drought conditions that have gripped the intermountain west suggest those concerns are fully warranted. Additionally, residents are concerned that annexation and future industrial development could significantly increase traffic and truck activity, impair public safety and emergency services, and increase roads and infrastructure maintenance needs, municipal service costs, noise, and nighttime lighting. Such outcomes would have negative consequences on the rural agricultural character of Amalga. 4. Section 1.2 of the Amalga Town Code states that the Town's regulations are intended to 'protect its special rural, agricultural quality of life.' Residents believe annexation for future industrial development is inconsistent with this stated purpose and as such does not support the best interests of the existing residents or the community. In summary, we assert that the tangible and intangible costs of annexation will greatly outweigh the public benefit it may provide. We therefore respectfully request that the Town Council: . Deny any future annexation request for Parcel 13-040-0001. . Hold a properly noticed public hearing before considering any future annexation proposal. . Give substantial weight to Amalga's General Plan, Town Code, water resources, and rural character when evaluating future annexation requests. This petition is submitted by Amalga residents who support responsible growth while preserving the agricultural heritage, limited infrastructure, and rural quality of life that define our town. We respectfully ask the Town Council to protect these values for current and future generations.' It should be noted that Planning and Zoning has no interaction with Annexation issues. That is a Town Board issue. Planning and Zoning is happy to include this Petition in the minutes. 8. Mike Bouck was placed on the agenda by mistake, however wanted to say that some of the information regarding the annexation request by Dakota Bodily had, in his thoughts, had been misleading. 9. Zoning Clearance Application from Nate Noyes for a patio covering on a patio at his residence at 5500 N 3100 W. Size is approximately 14' by 24'. He will need a building permit. Motion to Approve-April Hansen Second- Aaron Wood Motion Carried 10. Zoning Clearance Application from Sid Munk to move a mobile home 40 ' and parallel to the property line. He will need a septic clearance from Bear River Health. Set backs conform to code. Motion to Approve-Nate Noyes Second-Aaron Wood Motion Carried 11. Motion to Adjourn-Nate Noyes Second-April Hansen Motion Carried Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 PM *MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED*

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Dave Lee@435-881-0552.

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Meeting Information

Meeting Location

6590 N 2400 W
Amalga, UT 84335
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Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

August 13, 2026 04:06 PM

Notice Last Edited On

August 13, 2026 04:06 PM

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