Landowners on unincorporated parcels bordering Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills will not be splitting their five-acre lots in half.

The Utah County Commission voted Wednesday, Aug. 12, to deny an amendment that would have cut the minimum lot size in the Residential Agricultural (RA-5) zone from 5 acres to 2.5 acres. The proposal also would have narrowed the minimum lot width from 250 feet to 210 feet for single-family homes, manufactured homes and planned subdivisions.

The three-member commission (Chair Skyler Beltran, Vice Chair Amelia Powers Gardner and Commissioner Brandon Gordon) took the action as part of its regular agenda at the county administration building in Provo. Greg Robinson of the Community Development department presented the item, according to the meeting agenda. Gordon oversees the Community Development and Public Works departments that handle zoning for unincorporated Utah County.

The denial stands.

The RA-5 zone covers unincorporated agricultural land outside city boundaries. Its stated purpose under the county land use ordinance is to preserve agricultural land, protect farming from incompatible uses and maintain open space near urban centers. The denial keeps those protections intact for rural properties that sit just beyond the city limits of Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills.

Had the amendment passed, property owners in the zone could have subdivided a single 5-acre parcel into two buildable lots, potentially doubling the number of homes on land that currently supports one dwelling per five acres.

Other business

The commission also approved the 2026 Annual Action Plan for the Utah County Community Development Block Grant program after holding a public hearing. Philip Keeve of Community Development presented that item. Consent-agenda items included CDBG subrecipient agreement amendments with American Fork City and the Housing Authority of Utah County for affordable housing rehabilitation projects in Springville and Spanish Fork.

Separately, the commission approved an extension of time for the Eagle's Landing Subdivision development agreement, presented by Ryan Harris of Community Development. The agreement has been extended at least once before, in September 2025.

How to weigh in

The next Utah County Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. in Room 1400 of the Utah County Administration Building, 100 E. Center St., Provo. Meetings are also livestreamed on the county's YouTube channel. Public comments are limited to two minutes per person, and residents can contact the Utah County Clerk's Office at 801-851-8113 for accommodations.