County approves 861 acres for mining-excavation zoning on old UDOT, county gravel pit near Snowville

The Box Elder County Commission has approved a zoning change for approximately 861 acres of land near Snowville. The area, which includes a former Utah Department of Transportation and county gravel pit, has been reclassified to MG-EX (mining, quarry, sand, and gravel excavation), allowing it to be used for future commercial extraction projects.

Community Development Director Scott Lyons noted that the approval covers five specific parcels located near Interstate 84. The developer, Gardner Francis of Westland Development, requested the change to enable potential mining operations on the site, which has historically been associated with industrial excavation.

This decision marks a shift in land usage for the area near Snowville. While it opens doors for industrial development and potential economic activity, local residents and stakeholders remain interested in how this change will affect the regional landscape and industrial footprint of the northern part of the county.