Snyderville Cemetery Board, Basin Rec seek common ground on proposed site

SYNDERVILLE BASIN, Utah – Tensions are mounting between the Snyderville Basin Cemetery District and community stakeholders, including Basin Recreation and local residents, over a proposed cemetery site in the heart of the Snyderville Basin.

At a recent public meeting, members of the Cemetery District expressed frustration with sustained opposition to the plan, which would locate a new cemetery on a piece of county-owned land near the Olympic Park and Basin Rec’s trail system. While district representatives emphasized that they had reviewed over 20 potential sites and that this location was the most feasible, residents and officials from Basin Recreation pushed back—arguing that the site selection process lacked transparency, public input, and adequate collaboration.

“Everybody’s like, ‘Put it somewhere else,’” said Max Greenhalgh, a member of the cemetery board. “If you’ve got a better idea, float it out there… don’t just say ‘not here.’”

But Basin Recreation board members disagreed with the cemetery district’s characterization of events, pointing to a lack of outreach and communication. In a March 19 letter, Basin Rec proposed shifting the site slightly east to reduce impacts to trails and sensitive terrain. They say they never received a response.

“This was our response to being blindsided,” Dana Jones, Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District Director said. “We were brought in late, there was no public survey, no public comment. You say you’ve looked at other properties—we haven’t seen that. We don’t know what those options are.”

The dispute has underscored not only the challenge of siting public facilities in a rapidly growing region with limited land, but also the community’s desire to balance essential services with recreational and environmental priorities.

“I won’t feel good about going to a public meeting where it’s clear there’s a rift,” one cemetery board member said, advocating instead for a collaborative working group before any public hearing is scheduled.

County officials and attorneys present at the meeting advised caution around altering deed restrictions and subdivision plans without consensus on the cemetery’s final placement. One attorney warned that, while the proposed amendments are narrowly written to allow a single subdivision for cemetery use, any decision should be tied to a clearly defined site plan to avoid unintended consequences.

Despite the division, both sides appeared open to further discussion. Basin Rec suggested forming a joint working group with cemetery board members and county officials to explore alternative solutions and potentially identify a more broadly acceptable site.

“We recognize the need for a cemetery in the Snyderville Basin,” Ben Castro, Basin Recreation Board Chair said. “And we believe there are still options worth considering.”

A public meeting tentatively scheduled for June 3 may be postponed to allow time for such collaboration.