The Soda Springs City Council voted to remand draft Ordinance 7-15, a proposed zoning code amendment, to the Planning & Zoning Commission for further work to ensure residential definition changes are applied consistently across commercial and other zoning districts.
Tom, the city attorney, and Councilmember Tom (planning liaison) explained that recent edits focused mostly on residential classifications and left gaps in commercial zones where definitions such as “nursing home” were referenced differently. Councilmember Tom recommended sending the draft back so staff and the planning commission could align definitions across the entire zoning ordinance and remove outdated terminology.
Councilmember Mitch moved to remand Ordinance 7-15 to Planning & Zoning for revisions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council members asked staff to circulate the marked-up materials referenced by the mover; one councilmember said they had not received the edits and asked staff to place them in the council packet for review before the next hearing.
The council did not approve the ordinance at second reading. Instead, it requested the planning commission take a broader look to avoid creating inconsistencies and to refine definitions prior to another public hearing. The council directed staff to provide the edited draft and justification notes to all members so they can review changes before the ordinance returns for council action.