The Town of Jackson Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of six targeted text amendments to the town Land Development Regulations (LDRs) that staff said are intended to clarify nonconforming building rules and give modest flexibility to property owners seeking minor redevelopment.

The amendments, compiled as P25-176, would: exempt certain street façade-width and parking-setback nonconformities from strict enforcement; clarify replacement rules for structural elements in nonconforming buildings; formalize an existing practice allowing relocation or expansion of windows and doors in interior remodels of nonconforming buildings; and add administrative-adjustment authority for existing nonconforming parking stall length and drive aisle width where a proposed change of use does not require additional on-site parking.

Andrew Bowen, planning staff, summarized the package and said the changes are intended to “balance addressing nonconforming physical development with providing modest flexibility for property owners to pursue minor redevelopment projects.” Bowen described the amendments as “targeted” changes to LDR sections 1.92, 6.22 and 8.22 and read the text the commission considered. He said the planning director’s recommendation is approval of the six amendments (P25-176).

The commission discussed technical points and how the rules would be applied. Commissioners asked whether the clarified replacement language would allow structural upsizing (for example replacing 2x4 members with 2x6 members when adding a second story). Bowen said that the clarified text does not remove the current limit: substantial changes to structural members that would bring a nonconforming portion into full compliance would still require a variance from the Board of Adjustment.

On windows and doors, Bowen said staff has generally allowed relocation or expansion under a best-practice approach and the amendment would formalize that practice for interior remodels of nonconforming buildings. On parking, Bowen said the proposed language would allow the planning director to reduce stall length by 2 feet or reduce drive-aisle width to 20 feet where a change of use or small redevelopment does not require additional parking stalls. The change is intended to allow modest improvements without forcing a full site redevelopment that would require complete compliance with modern parking dimensional standards.

No members of the public spoke on the proposal during the meeting. Commissioners voiced support for staff’s clarifications and the motion to recommend approval passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to recommend approval of six LDR text amendments (P25-176) as presented in the staff report dated Oct. 15, 2025 — Motion moved and seconded; voice vote in favor; motion passes.

Next steps
The commission’s recommendation will go to the Town Council for final consideration; Bowen noted that changes to the LDRs are legislative actions for the council and that the council will consider factors such as consistency with the LDR purpose, public necessity, and alignment with the Jackson/Teton County comprehensive plan before deciding whether to adopt the text amendments.

Context
Bowen said staff had not received public comments on the draft as of the time of the staff report. He described the package as primarily clarifying and procedural, with the intent of giving property owners predictable paths for modest work on older, nonconforming buildings without encouraging substantial expansion that would undermine the town’s phased approach to eliminating nonconformities.