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Planning commission opens discussion on flag lots; asks staff for more analysis and stakeholder input

October 10, 2025 | Hooper City Council, Hooper , Weber County, Utah


This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »

Planning commission opens discussion on flag lots; asks staff for more analysis and stakeholder input
Hooper City Planning Commission members opened a policy discussion on whether to allow flag lots in city code and asked staff to return with more information, including input from public works and the Weber Fire District, before deciding whether to draft an ordinance.

The commission reviewed sample ordinances from other cities and staff presented options ranging from no change (retain prohibition) to a limited, conditional allowance for landlocked parcels. Commissioners and staff identified several concerns that would shape any ordinance: emergency‑vehicle access and turnaround requirements, distance to fire hydrants, utility and access costs when a private shared drive must be built to serve a flag lot, equity compared with prior approvals, and the potential for future proliferation of flag lots.

Staff said the city receives at least monthly inquiries about flag lots and currently lacks ordinance language to address them. Commissioners noted that some sample ordinances limit flag lots to existing landlocked parcels (not new subdivisions) and often cap house size at a percentage (for example, 125–150 percent) of standard lot size for the zone. Commissioners also raised the possibility that allowing flag lots could invite litigation from applicants who meet most but not all criteria.

Public‑safety requirements were discussed in principle: staff reported that Weber Fire District staff indicated driveways longer than about 150 feet typically require a 20‑foot turnaround and that the district prefers structures to be within roughly 500–600 feet of a hydrant; the district has considered exceptions when property owners install sprinklers. Commissioners asked staff to invite Jared from public works to discuss utilities and road impacts and to attempt to invite Weber Fire District representative David Reed (or a designee) to the next work meeting or to join by Zoom to explain fire‑access criteria.

The commission did not vote on a policy change. Several commissioners said they currently lean against allowing flag lots but expressed interest in learning more about emergency‑access standards, utility implications and how prior city practice led to the current prohibition. Staff suggested a work meeting with Jared from public works and other experts to craft draft language if the commission indicates enough interest; commissioners agreed to more education before deciding whether to have staff draft an ordinance.

Ending: Staff will schedule a work meeting with public works and seek input from the Weber Fire District; after that meeting the commission may indicate whether it wants staff to prepare draft ordinance language for formal review.

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