Council approves limited parking in special flood hazard area with low‑impact design requirements

Springdale’s Town Council on Wednesday approved revisions to Town Code Chapter 10-23 that allow parking spaces within the special flood hazard area on residential parcels subject to limits and required low-impact design measures.

Planning staff said the change stems from a principle: the existing code allowed buildings in the floodplain while prohibiting parking there, producing an inconsistency. Niall Connolly (planning staff) said the planning commission revised the proposal to permit parking only on residentially zoned parcels, to cap the total number of floodplain parking spaces on any parcel, and to require low-impact designs—such as permeable paving and bioswales—where parking is sited within the special flood hazard area.

Councilmembers discussed how the rule should treat enclosed garages. Councilmember Kyla Topham suggested clarifying whether interior garage floors must meet the low-impact paving requirement or whether garages should be sited outside the flood hazard area; the staff answer was to consider an exemption for enclosed garage spaces or to require applicants to build garages outside the mapped hazard area to avoid the LID requirements.

Councilmember Jack Burns moved to approve Ordinance 2025-11 with the planning commission language; council voted unanimously in favor.

Councilmembers said the ordinance balances property owners’ needs for parking with the town’s stated goal—cited from the general plan—of protecting the Virgin River’s natural character, flow and water quality. Staff will prepare clarifying guidance on how the low-impact design requirements apply to garages and will update application materials accordingly.