Parties: John Diamond and the City of West Point

Issued: October 8, 2007

Compliance With Land Use Ordinances

Subdivision Plat Approval

Cities are required to substantially comply with statutory annexation procedures. Although City ordinances regulate the placement of new feedlots near homes, they do not regulate the placement of new homes near feedlots. Past actions may be strong evidence that a similar action should be taken, but they do not control future cases.

1. Did West Point City follow proper procedures when it annexed a 25 acre parcel in September of 2006?
2. Is West Point City barred from approving a subdivision located near an existing agricultural and commercial hunting operation?
3. Is West Point City bound to impose conditions on the proposed subdivision which are similar to conditions imposed on a subdivision also located near a commercial hunting operation?

The City followed proper procedures when it annexed a 25 acre parcel. Proper notice was given, and the City approved the petition as provided in Utah law. The City also properly rezoned the parcel at the time of the annexation.

Concerns about the proposed subdivision’s impact on adjoining properties should be addressed through the approval process, or through agreements between property owners, and do not prohibit the subdivision from being approved. Furthermore, the subdivision is not a nonconforming use, nor is the agricultural/hunting operation a nonconforming use due to the placement of the subdivision. Any issues related to wetlands should be resolved through the appropriate state and federal agencies.

Finally, the City’s past practices and approvals do not bind it to any actions or approvals, even in similar situations. Every parcel is unique, and every application is unique. Past actions may be persuasive arguments in favor of the same action in a similar situation, but do not require any particular action or approval.

A request for an advisory opinion may be filed at any time prior to the rendering of a final decision by a local land use appeal authority under the provisions of U.C.A. §13-43-205. An advisory opinion is meant to provide an early review, before any duty to exhaust administrative remedies, of significant land use questions so that those involved in a land use application or other specific land use disputes can have an independent review of an issue. It is hoped that such a review can help the parties avoid litigation, resolve differences in a fair and neutral forum, and understand the relevant law. The decision is not binding, but, as explained at the end of this opinion, may have some effect on the long-term cost of resolving such issues in the courts.

The request for this Advisory Opinion was received from John Diamond on July 30, 2007. As provided in statute, a letter with the request attached was sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, to Richard Davis, City Manager, West Point City, at 3200 W. 300 North, West Point, Utah 84015. The return receipt was signed and was received on August 15, 2007, indicating that it had been received by the City. A response from the City was received on August 22, 2007.

The following documents and information with relevance to the issue involved in this advisory opinion were reviewed prior to its completion:

1. Request for an Advisory Opinion, submitted John W. Diamond, and received by the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman, July 30, 2007.
2. Response submitted on behalf of West Point City, received by the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman, August 22, 2007.

John Diamond owns approximately 200 acres of agricultural land near West Point City, in Davis County, Utah.  His property is not within the boundaries of West Point.  This property is designated as an agricultural protection area.  Mr. Diamond uses the property for cattle grazing, a livestock feedlot, and a commercial hunting area.  His property extends to the Great Salt Lake on the west.  There are federally-designated wetlands in the area near the lake.  Mr. Diamond’s property is outside of the City limits, and is subject to regulation by the Davis County Code.[1]

In 2006, the owner of a 25 acre parcel which bordered on Mr. Diamond’s property submitted a petition to the City, asking that the parcel be annexed into the City’s boundaries.  This petition did not attempt to annex Mr. Diamond’s property.  On September 5, 2006, Mr. Diamond attended a meeting of the West Point City Council, and spoke against the annexation proposal.  Mr. Diamond raised several issues, including the proximity of the cattle operation and hunting club, the presence of wetlands, and issues related to drainage of storm water.  The City approved the annexation petition, and, as part of the approval, designated the parcel’s zoning as “R-1.”  According to the City, the R-1 zone allows for single-family residences, and anticipates a maximum density of 2.2 units per acre.

Mr. Diamond states that the City did not notify him of the pending annexation, and that he found out from a neighbor.  The City states that it published notice of the meeting in the Standard Examiner newspaper, and complied with the notice provisions of state law.

The owner of the annexed parcel proposed that the parcel be subdivided into 30 lots.  A portion of the subdivision would be located within 300 feet of Mr. Diamond’s property, and some lots would be located approximately 30 feet from Mr. Diamond’s feedlot.  Mr. Diamond has also expressed concern over drainage from residential areas onto his property, as well as the impact of that drainage on wetland areas near the Great Salt Lake.

In its response, the City submitted an agreement between Mr. Diamond and the property developer, signed in July of 2007.  In this agreement, the developer agreed to construct a berm and fence between the homes and Mr. Diamond’s property, and Mr. Diamond granted an easement to allow drainage through his property.

I.     West Point City Followed Correct Procedures When it Annexed and Rezoned the 25 Acre Parcel.

The City followed proper procedures when it annexed the 25 acre parcel.  Annexation of territory into a municipality is governed by §§ 10-2-401 through -428 of the Utah Code.  The annexation process usually begins by filing a petition with the municipality.  The petition must be signed by persons representing a majority of the land owners within the area sought to be annexed, provided that the signatures also represent at least 1/3 of the land value within the area.[2]  When a petition is filed, the municipal legislative body first decides to accept or reject the petition.[3]  If the petition is accepted, it is reviewed to determine compliance with state law.  If it does, the municipality must publish notice of the proposal in a newspaper of general circulation, and mail the notice to certain “affected entities”.[4]

Any affected entity may formally protest the annexation, by filing a protest with the county boundary commission within 30 days after receiving notice from the municipality.[5]  If no protest is filed after the 30 day period, the municipality may proceed to a decision on the petition.  If a protest is filed, the municipality may either reject the petition or wait for a decision from the county’s boundary commission.[6]

If no protest is filed, the municipality must then schedule a public hearing on the matter.  Notice of this hearing must be published in newspaper of general circulation.  Notice to individual property owners is not required.[7]  Following the public hearing, the municipal legislative body may accept or reject the petition.  If the petition is accepted, the territory is annexed into the municipality.[8]  The municipality may designate the zoning for territory that is annexed as part of the ordinance approving the annexation.[9]

West Point City properly followed the procedures established by the Utah Code when it annexed the 25 acre parcel.  “A city satisfies the statutory requirements [for annexation] through ‘substantial compliance’ with the statute” Szatkowski v. Bountiful City, 906 P.2d 902, 904 (Ct. App. Utah 1995).  The petition was submitted to the City by the property owner, Kip Cashmore.  Since he owned all of the property, his signature was sufficient to initiate the process.  The City notified all affected entities, which were given the opportunity to pursue a challenge to the Boundary Commission.  There was no protest filed by any affected entity, so the City scheduled a public hearing on the proposal.  Since Davis County is not a “county of the first class,” there is no requirement that neighboring property owners be specifically notified of the proposed annexation.

On September 5, 2006, the City held a public hearing on the proposed annexation.  Mr. Diamond was present, and expressed concerns about the proposal.  Following the public hearing, the City Council unanimously approved the annexation.  The ordinance designated the zoning for the annexed parcel as “R-1.”  There does not appear to be any irregularity with the annexation process, so the City substantially complied with the annexation statute.  Furthermore,“the determination of municipal boundaries is a legislative function.”  Kearns-Tribune Corp. v. Salt Lake County Comm’n, 2001 UT 55, ¶ 21, 28 P.3d 686, 691.  The City thus had broad discretion to make a decision on whether to annex the territory.  See Szatkowski, 906 P.2d at 904.

II.     City Ordinances Allow the Subdivision Proposed on the Annexed Parcel.

The ordinances of West Point City do not prohibit or restrict residential development on the annexed parcel, even near an agricultural operation and hunting club.  John Diamond, who requested this Opinion, raised concerns about the new development being located close to his property.  Although the concerns raised by Mr. Diamond ought to be considered in the subdivision approval process, there is nothing in the City’s ordinances that prohibits the development.

A.    Mr. Diamond’s Existing Feedlot Does not Prohibit Construction of New Homes on the Annexed Parcel.

The City’s ordinance regulating the placement of feedlots near residential neighborhoods does not prevent the subdivision.  Section 17-15-3 of the West Point City Code requires that all feedlots be located at least 200 feet from any dwelling located on an adjacent lot.  If the adjacent lots are vacant, the feedlot cannot be located less than 30 feet from the property line.  That ordinance, however, regulates the placement of new feedlots, not the construction of new homes.  An existing feedlot does not prohibit the placement of new homes on an adjoining parcel.  In short, the feedlot on Mr. Diamond’s property does not prevent construction of dwellings on the annexed parcel.

There remains the question as to whether Mr. Diamond would be allowed to expand or replace his existing feedlot.  Since his property is not located in West Point City, its ordinance prohibiting a feedlot within 200 feet of a dwelling would not apply.  Mr. Diamond’s property is currently governed by the Davis County Code.  Section 15.08.440 of that code requires that feedlots be located at least 100 feet from a dwelling.  See Davis County Code, § 15-08-440(G).  Since the exact placement of the new homes in relation to the feedlot is not known, this Opinion cannot express any conclusions about the ability of Mr. Diamond to expand or replace his feedlot.

B.    Mr. Diamond’s Agricultural and Commercial Hunting Operations do not Prohibit Residential Development on the Annexed Parcel.

Nothing can be found in state law, or in the ordinances of West Point City or Davis County, that restrict development of parcels adjoining agricultural activities or commercial hunting operations.  While there may be concerns about the wisdom or viability of constructing residences near such activities, those concerns should be addressed through the approval process.  Imposing a ban on new construction near agricultural or hunting operations would stymie development, and grant a handful of individual landowners undue power over land use.  Mr. Diamond may have legitimate concerns about a new subdivision adjoining his property and impacting his operations, but there is no legal authority for an automatic ban on the new development.  Such a decision is within the discretion of the City to make whatever land use decisions it feels are appropriate.

Mr. Diamond’s property is an Agricultural Protection Area, and he is entitled to the protections granted such areas by §§ 17-41-101 through 406 of the Utah Code.  Designating property as an Agricultural Protection Area does not bar development on adjoining parcels, but the Utah Code grants the property owner certain protections from nuisance lawsuits.  In addition, the owner of any new subdivision development near an Agricultural Protection Area must include a notice on the subdivision plat that agricultural operations are being conducted in the vicinity.[10]  The subdivision on the annexed territory, which adjoins Mr. Diamond’s property, is subject to that notice requirement.

C.     The Proposed Subdivision is Not a Nonconforming Use Because of the Agricultural Operation; and the Subdivision Does not Make the Agricultural Operation a Nonconforming Use.

Approval of the subdivision near Mr. Diamond’s agricultural/hunting operation does not mean that the subdivision is a nonconforming use, nor does the subdivision make Mr. Diamond’s operation a nonconforming use.  Since both the subdivision and Mr. Diamond’s operation are lawful uses, neither one is a nonconforming use.[11]  There is no reason to conclude that any new development automatically causes adjoining land uses to become nonconforming.  As was discussed above, however, the Davis County Code may restrict expansion or replacement of Mr. Diamond’s feedlot because of dwellings in the vicinity.

D.     Any Wetland Concerns Should be Addressed to the Appropriate State and Federal Agencies.

Mr. Diamond has also raised concerns that the new subdivision may result in alteration or filling of wetland areas near the Great Salt Lake.  There appear to be federally-designated wetlands along the lake shore, however, the Request for Advisory Opinion does not identify any specific actions that might impact wetland areas.  Any issues related to water drainage and wetlands should be resolved through the appropriate state and federal agencies, and are beyond the scope of this Opinion.[12]

III.     Previous Approvals or Actions do not Bind West Point City to Future Approvals or Actions.

Mr. Diamond suggests that since the City required a “buffer zone” between a subdivision built near another commercial hunting club, a similar buffer should be required between his property and the subdivision proposed for the annexed parcel.  However, past approvals do not necessarily bind a City to similar actions in similar situations.  Every parcel of property is unique, every development is unique, and zoning authorities must have discretion to adopt regulations that are deemed best to address each particular situation.

It must be remembered that zoning is not a static thing which once established becomes set in concrete forever. . . . It is obvious that there must be some pliability so that in performing its function the [local government] may keep abreast of changing conditions as life courses onward and meet the varying needs of the growing [locality].

Naylor v. Salt Lake City Corp., 17 Utah 2d 300, 302, 410 P.2d 764, 766 (1966). Past actions taken in similar circumstances may be strong evidence that the same action should taken, but they do not force a local government to take the same action.[13]  Furthermore, choosing a reasonable, but alternative means to address a similar situation is not necessarily prohibited.[14]

The argument that a local government is bound by its past approvals is an application of the “zoning estoppel” doctrine.  Zoning estoppel prevents a local government from denying an application if the property owner has relied on a representation from the government.

To invoke the doctrine [of zoning estoppel,] the [government entity] must have committed an act or omission upon which the developer could rely in good faith in making substantial changes in position or incurring extensive expenses.  The action upon which the developer claims reliance must be of a clear, definite and affirmative nature.

Utah County v. Young, 615 P.2d 1265, 1267 (Utah 1980).  Zoning estoppel requires that the governmental action be “clear, definite and affirmative,” indicating an act that could be interpreted as an approval or agreement.  Simply identifying a past action in a similar situation is not a “clear, definite and affirmative” approval of a proposed action.  Thus, it cannot be said that past actions bind or estop a local government to a similar action.[15] Past practices may be persuasive arguments in favor of a similar action, but are not sufficient to bind the government entity.

There does not appear to be any irregularity in the procedure followed when West Point annexed a 25 acre parcel. Proper notice was given, and the annexation petition was approved. The City also properly designated the zoning for the annexed territory when the petition was approved. In addition, the annexation was approved in September of 2006, so the time to file any appeal has passed.

Any concerns about developing a residential subdivision near an agricultural/hunting operation should be addressed through the approval process, and do not bar the subdivision. Legitimate concerns about the impact of the subdivision are best resolved through reasonable conditions on the development. It appears that Mr. Diamond and the developer of the subdivision have entered an agreement that addresses some of these concerns. Finally, any issues over wetlands and drainage from the subdivision should be resolved through the appropriate state and federal agencies.

Prior approvals in similar circumstances do not automatically force a local government to take similar actions. Every parcel is unique, and every application is unique. An action that is appropriate in one situation may not be appropriate in another. Past practices may be persuasive evidence in favor of a particular approval, but they do not bind a local government to take the same action.

Brent N. Bateman, Lead Attorney

Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman