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Spanish Fort narrows zoning reversion clause to apply only to higher‑density and higher‑use districts
Summary
The council amended the zoning code to limit the reversionary clause to specific high‑density residential and higher commercial districts so that many other districts will no longer automatically revert if undeveloped within a year.
The Spanish Fort City Council adopted an amendment to the zoning ordinance that narrows the reversionary clause to apply only to certain high‑density residential and high‑use commercial districts, changing how rezoned parcels revert if not devoted to the new use.
City Attorney David Connor explained the amendment: the reversionary clause will apply to districts R‑3A, R‑3B, R‑3C, R‑3D, R‑4, B‑4, B‑5, M‑1 and T‑1 — generally the higher‑density and higher‑use categories. Parcels rezoned to those classifications that are not devoted to the intended use within 12 months (or an additional 12 months granted by the council for good cause) will revert to their previous zoning. Other districts — R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, B‑1, B‑2 and B‑3 — will not be subject to reversion under the amendment.
Connor said parcels that had already reverted prior to this amendment will remain in their existing status; the change applies prospectively to future rezoning actions. Council members said the amendment helps avoid unintended automatic reversion that can interfere with longer planning timelines and noted it provides clearer expectations for developers and staff.
The council opened and closed a public hearing and then adopted the amendment on roll call (Gustafson: yes; Perry: yes; Wynne: yes; Bradner: yes; Mayor: yes). Council members linked the change to recent rezoning discussion on Highway 31 and said the narrower scope better fits the city’s policy goals.
