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 conditional use in R17 and R18, and add twin‑home lot‑size and setback rules to tables 1–3 of Tooele City Code 7‑14 and to definitions in Tooele City Code 7‑1‑5.

Agard and the staff presentation included examples of existing developments to show how twin homes have been handled historically: Gossamer Place and Porter's Place as duplex/condominium examples, Shetland Meadows with lots as small as 4,000 square feet where a property line bisects the structure, and Par 4 Estates, which used a planned unit development (PUD) to permit 0‑lot‑line twin homes on roughly 5,000‑square‑foot lots. Agard summarized the staff proposal: in MR16 the minimum single‑family lot is 10,000 square feet and a twin home could be permitted with 5,000 square feet per side; the amendments would also remove minimum lot‑width requirements for townhomes in MR20, MR16, MR12 and MR8 and add a footnote allowing internal 0‑lot‑line side setbacks for twin homes.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the changes alter the existing duplex rules. “Essentially, we're changing to a 0 lot line and and playing with the side yards. But when it comes to multiple, I still need 14,000 square feet to do 2 homes in an R17,” Commissioner Hammer said. Agard confirmed the amendment does not change the existing duplex provision that requires double the lot size in zones where duplexes are already permitted; instead, it provides an additional, clarified pathway for twin homes and condominium ownership in certain zones.

Commissioner Sloan praised the work but said he might later push for allowing smaller lots like those in Shetland Meadows, observing that such smaller single‑family configurations have precedent in the city. “What it doesn't address … I don't feel like it goes far enough so don't be shocked if I come back to you later,” Sloan said.

Commissioner Proctor moved to forward a positive recommendation to the council, and Commissioner Sloan seconded. The commission voted unanimously — Commissioners Hammer, Proctor, Sloan, Hamilton, Jensen, Anderson and Chairman Robinson voted aye — to send a positive recommendation to city council.

The recommendation asks the City Council to adopt the staff‑proposed changes to Tooele City Code 7‑1‑5 (definitions) and tables 1–3 of Tooele City Code 7‑14 (uses and density), including the new twin‑home lot‑size entries, condominium conditional‑use allowance in R17/R18, removal of certain townhome lot‑width minimums, and the 0‑lot‑line side‑setback footnote. The commission record shows the action was a recommendation only; final adoption requires City Council action.

If the council approves the amendments, the changes would provide an alternative development pathway — private ownership condominium or twin‑home lots with internal property lines — distinct from the city’s long‑established duplex (single property owner, two rental units) option. The staff report and commissioner discussion note that some existing twin‑home developments were created under prior zoning classifications (such as a short‑lived R2 district) or via PUDs, and the amendment seeks to codify a clear process without changing existing duplex rules.

The public hearing was held during the Planning Commission meeting on July 9, 2025; the commission forwarded the recommendation to the Tooele City Council by a 7–0 vote.