The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission convened on September 26, 2023, to discuss proposed amendments to land subdivision regulations aimed at addressing the housing shortage in Summit County. The meeting focused on the introduction of a new concept termed "cluster subdivision," which seeks to promote smaller residential lots while increasing the availability of open space.

The primary objective of the proposed cluster subdivision is to create more clustered housing arrangements, allowing for reduced lot sizes and the inclusion of shared open spaces. The staff report outlined that a minimum of 20% of the designated open space must be allocated for active use, such as trails and recreational facilities, to ensure community engagement and usability.

Visual examples were presented to illustrate the envisioned layout, featuring smaller homes with shared backyards or common areas. These designs aim to foster a sense of community while maximizing the use of available land. The commission emphasized that the proposed criteria and numbers are preliminary and subject to change as further engineering assessments are conducted.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of obtaining feedback from the commission regarding the viability of these amendments. The Crossroads application, which is pending, is particularly reliant on this feedback to determine its future development plans.

Next steps include finalizing the definition and criteria for the cluster subdivision, with plans to incorporate this new section into the existing code. The commission aims to address the housing needs of the community while ensuring that new developments contribute positively to the overall landscape of the Snyderville Basin.