Applicant withdraws rezoning request for asphalt‑plant site after parcel/notice confusion

Robert Matthews asked the Bannock County Planning and Development Council to amend the future land use map to reclassify roughly 2 to 2.5 acres from Residential Rural to Industrial for a proposed asphalt plant, but the application was withdrawn after staff identified a mismatch between the parcel recorded in county notices and the surveyed parcel the applicant cited.

Robert Matthews identified the project and said the site borders a gravel pit and that equipment would operate using natural gas or propane. A supporter said an asphalt plant at the site would operate at about 80 dB at the source and estimated about 60 dB at 300–500 feet; presenters also described odor‑control equipment and a “virgin run” design intended to reduce emissions.

Council and staff repeatedly emphasized that this hearing was limited to a future‑land‑use map amendment and not to approval of a plant or specific use. During review, staff found the public notice and staff report referenced parcel 23905 as submitted; the applicant presented a separate survey and said a deed for the surveyed parcel had not been recorded. Staff explained the council could only act on the parcel that was properly noticed in the staff report.

Faced with the discrepancy and the fact a deed and contract for the intended parcel were not completed, applicant Robert Matthews chose to withdraw the rezoning and map amendment applications so he can refile with correct, recorded parcel information. The planning staff confirmed the application fee is non‑refundable and advised reapplication after the correct deed and notice are in place.

What happens next: Matthews said he will reapply once the parcel and recording issues are resolved; the council did not take a recommendation on the land‑use amendment after the withdrawal.