Council approves rezoning of Peterson Inc. parcels, bars commercial use until resident vacates

Far West City Council voted Sept. 3 to rezone three parcels owned by Peterson Inc. at 1461 North 2000 West from A-1 to C-2 and to approve a conditional-use permit for a new production/assembly building. The council attached a condition that no commercial activity may occur on partial ID 15-004-0005 until the property is vacant.

Council members discussed whether the rezone should wait for a new public notice because the applicant had requested an M-1 designation originally, but legal counsel advised the legislative body can rezone to a different classification. Jeff Lowe, representing Peterson through High Country Global Solutions, told the council the company wanted confirmation before committing to additional engineering costs: "I'm with High Country Global Solutions. I'm the construction management group for Peterson's," he said, explaining the applicant would coordinate with nearby residents and PaciniMac to resolve occupancy and plat issues.

The council debated practical options for handling a parcel that is currently occupied. One council member warned that zoning a parcel C-2 converts it from residential and said, "If you zone a Parcel C 2, it can no longer be residential." The council resolved that the ordinance would rezone the parcels now but add a restriction preventing any C-2 commercial activity on the occupied lot until the resident moves.

After the motion to approve ordinance 2026-16 with that contingency, the mayor conducted a roll-call vote and recorded unanimous support among the members present. The council then approved a conditional-use permit for the proposed Peterson manufacturing/assembly building with a 65-foot height limit and language allowing manufacturing/assembly uses under the agreed conditions. Jeff Lowe and city staff were directed to proceed with next steps, subject to the contingency and standard plat/plan approvals.