Planning commission backs code changes to allow twin homes, condominiums for two‑unit buildings

The Tooele City Planning Commission voted 7–0 on Wednesday to forward a positive recommendation to the Tooele City Council for ordinance amendments that would clarify rules for duplexes, permit condominium ownership of two‑unit buildings and allow twin homes with 0‑lot‑line development in several residential zones.

City planning staff said the changes are intended to allow private ownership of two‑unit housing where currently only rental duplexes are expressly covered by code, and to create clear minimum lot‑size and setback rules for twin homes.

“This is an ordinance amendment that has been on my to do list for quite a while, and it involves the construction of twin homes in Tooele City,” said Andrew Agard, planning staff, presenting the proposal. Agard told commissioners the current code permits two‑family rental duplexes in MR16, MR12, MR8, R17 and R18 zones only when the lot size is doubled (for example, a 7,000‑square‑foot R17 lot must be 14,000 square feet to host a duplex). The proposed amendments add definitions for “duplex” and “twin home,” allow condominium dwellings as a…