Roosevelt planning commission approves 25‑unit townhome project with traffic‑study and off‑street parking conditions

The Roosevelt Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for a 25‑unit townhome development proposed at 200 North and 600 West, with conditions requiring a traffic study and measures to ensure off‑street parking, commissioners said.

The commission heard a presentation from developer Jacob Spears of EverBuild, who described the project as a planned residential unit development (PUD) of 25 townhomes to be sold as individual units, with a homeowners association to maintain common infrastructure. "We are trying to keep them below 300" for sale price, Spears said, referring to a target price under $300,000.

The project design shown to the commission includes 3‑bedroom units with about 1,460 square feet of living space, a single‑car garage and two parking stalls per unit; Spears said the plan provides approximately 25‑foot deep driveways to accommodate larger vehicles. Utilities would include a 6‑inch water line along 200 North (as presented) and sewer service using three existing stub‑outs or the main sewer line if required; meters would be city‑owned and the HOA would maintain internal infrastructure except the meters, staff said.

The commission conducted a public hearing and received multiple public comments focused on traffic, parking and neighborhood character. Sherry Duncan, who lives adjacent to the site, said builders on nearby lots had damaged an existing fence and that previous townhouse developments had led to unpaid HOA assessments and overcrowding. "It's concerning to have builders come in," Duncan said. Gail Foster presented a petition signed by neighbors that expressed concern about increased traffic near schools, parking congestion and potential impacts on property values. Several speakers also questioned whether units could be rented or used for short‑term rentals; commission members noted the developer's CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions) would prohibit short‑term rentals but that city ordinances also govern rental activity.

Commission discussion focused on ensuring the development meets the conditional‑use standards in the city code (R17 series sections were cited during the staff presentation) and on mitigating off‑site impacts. Commissioners asked for a traffic study that would analyze effects on nearby streets (including 200 North, Lagoon Street and neighborhood outlets) and for measures to prevent on‑street parking in the new subdivision. Annette Miller, a property owner involved in the subdivision and a real estate professional, said the developer had invested in infrastructure and that the project would supply housing for people who cannot afford higher‑priced single‑family homes: "There's a huge need in our state for the missing middle," Miller said.

After debate, the commission approved the conditional use permit with the conditions that a traffic study demonstrate acceptable impacts and that the development provide off‑street parking and related CC&R enforcement. One commissioner voted against the conditional use (Bob Hackney spoke and was recorded as dissenting during the roll call), but the motion passed. The commission also voted to approve a subdivision plat amendment that would create the individual townhome lots, subject to the traffic‑study contingency; staff advised that final recording and any required engineering changes would follow commission action and that the plat amendment will proceed to the city council for final legislative approval if the contingency is met.

The commission and residents identified next steps: completion of an engineering‑grade traffic study to determine whether additional traffic management (speed limit changes, roadway improvements or other mitigation) is required; final engineered plans and infrastructure easement language to be confirmed before recording; and continued enforcement mechanisms through the conditional use permit and applicable city fees and fines if CC&R or code violations occur.

Votes at a glance: The Planning and Zoning Commission opened and closed a public hearing on the proposal (motions carried). The commission approved the conditional use permit for the 25‑unit townhome development with conditions requiring a traffic study and off‑street parking (one recorded dissent by Bob Hackney). The subdivision plat amendment was approved by the commission contingent on the traffic study being completed and acceptable for the development.