Planning commission approves zone change for horse-breeder’s Winton Road parcel

The Sweetwater County Planning & Zoning Commission voted on May 13 to approve a zoning map amendment to reclassify a 40-acre parcel at 237 Winton Road from R-2SF (single-family residential with a minimum lot-size overlay) to Agricultural and to recommend rezoning the adjacent 640-acre BLM parcel to Agricultural to meet an 80-acre district minimum.

Planning staff told the commission the change would allow the property owner, Donna Binning, to build an indoor arena for her horse-breeding and driving activities. "This zoning map amendment is for approximately 40 acres owned by Donna Binning," staff said, and noted the amendment conforms to procedures in section 20 of the 2015 Sweetwater County zoning resolution.

Pete Libby, speaking for Binning, described her work training horses to drive and said she has serious vision loss: "She has macular degeneration really bad," Libby told commissioners, adding that an indoor arena would allow her to continue the business without subdividing the land.

Commissioners asked whether rezoning the BLM parcel required federal concurrence; planning staff said the BLM does not require comment for zoning and that the agency had submitted no objections. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Planning staff said the Board of County Commissioners will consider the final approval on May 19.

The commission record shows staff recommended the map amendment (filed as request 26 05 PZO 1) and that no negative public or agency comments had been received before the hearing. The action, as approved by the commission, is a recommendation to the county commissioners, who have final authority under county procedures.

Next steps: the county commissioners are scheduled to review the commission’s recommendation on May 19 for final action.