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Parowan adopts “Rural Done Right” land-use changes, excludes townhomes
Summary
The Parowan City Council voted unanimously May 29 to adopt a revised land-use ordinance called “Rural Done Right,” rejecting a version that would have allowed townhomes and keeping provisions intended to preserve the city’s rural character.
Parowan City Council members voted unanimously May 29 to adopt changes to the city land-use code known as “Rural Done Right,” approving the version of the ordinance that excludes townhomes.
The council approved the ordinance by roll call vote after several hours of discussion about housing types, lot sizes and design standards. Council members Rochelle Topham, David Harris, John Dean, Sharon Downey and David Burton voted in favor; the motion carried on a roll-call vote.
The ordinance package presented to the council included two alternate drafts: one that permitted townhomes (and set smaller lot-area rules for attached units) and one that did not. The adopted version prohibits townhomes and instead allows a range of housing types the document labels as “twin homes,” duplexes, and triplex/fourplex dwellings when they meet design standards intended to preserve a single-family appearance and the city’s rural character.
City staff explained the technical differences between the two drafts during the meeting: the documents differ most on permitted uses in the R-3 zone and on minimum lot-area calculations for attached units. The adopted version keeps larger minimum lot sizes and excludes townhomes, an outcome council members described as a choice to protect Parowan’s existing character while still creating options for smaller and “cottage” housing forms.
Planning Commission had reviewed both drafts and forwarded recommendations to the council; the commission expressed concerns about some early wording (for example, language referring to “cookie cutter” development) and asked for clearer definitions. Council members discussed how the ordinance aligns with the city’s existing General Plan and directed staff to update related code sections where necessary.
The ordinance will be published and become part of Parowan’s adopted land-use code. Changes include revised definitions and a new table of permitted uses and minimum lot-area rules for duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes that the council approved instead of a townhome-focused option.
