Rachel Dahl
The Churchill County Planning Commission took action on several land-use matters during the Wednesday, Jan. 14 meeting, including resolving a long-standing special use permit issue, recommending approval of two parcel map applications, and setting the stage for upcoming code cleanup workshops.
Under old business, commissioners reviewed the status of a special use permit previously granted in 2020 to Shalina Hoisington for a home-based horse boarding operation at 425 Bench Road. At the December meeting, the commission had initiated revocation proceedings after the permit holder failed to meet conditions and did not attend scheduled hearings.
Public Works and Planning staff reported that Hoisington has since brought the permit fully into compliance. According to staff, all required state and county documentation has now been completed, and the business license fee was paid earlier on the day of the meeting.
With confirmation that all conditions of approval had been met, the commission unanimously voted to cease revocation proceedings and to end the annual review requirement for the permit.
In new business, commissioners considered a parcel map application submitted by Joe and Lori Werlinger to divide a 40.45-acre property at 3434 Crest Place into two lots. The proposal would separate an existing second residence onto a 9.11-acre parcel, with both parcels continuing to use existing wells, septic systems, and access from Crest Place.
Staff noted that, while no major issues were identified, the application would formalize the road easements that currently exist within the federal canal and drainage easements. The applicants were also reminded of the requirement to dedicate two acre-feet of water per lot for non-irrigated uses.
Following brief clarification regarding parcel numbering on the map, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners, subject to staff conditions and acceptance of access easements.
Commissioners also reviewed a merger and re-subdivision application from Friendly Business Park, LLC, involving approximately 163.78 acres along Inland Port Drive. The proposal merges two existing parcels and re-divides the land into four lots of varying sizes.
Staff explained that the same map had previously been approved in 2023 but expired due to delays in securing required signatures. Those issues have since been resolved, and the revised map incorporates updated access, easement abandonment approvals, stormwater protections, and corrections to road names and addressing.
One key change addressed historic access challenges to land northeast of the railroad tracks, which now has legal access through agreements with the Bureau of Land Management. The map also reflects approval of a gated private road, replacing a former public road to accommodate site security while preserving emergency and infrastructure access.
The commission voted 7–0 to recommend approval of the re-subdivision to the Board of County Commissioners.
In other business, staff announced a workshop scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, to review proposed changes to the Churchill County Consolidated Development Code. Planned changes include revisions to the E-1 zoning district, lot dimension standards, accessory dwelling unit language, and recently adopted industrial zoning provisions.
Staff also outlined plans to remove technical design standards from the code and place them into a separate design and development manual, which will include more than 100 new engineered standard details and hydrology requirements.
Before adjourning, commissioners requested that a review of the Planning Commission bylaws be placed on the agenda for the February 11 meeting.
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