Parowan planning commission tables ‘Rural Done Right’ Title 15 zoning amendments after public questions on density, ADUs and manufactured housing

The Parowan Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and detailed discussion of proposed amendments to Title 15 of the municipal code—branded “Rural Done Right”—and voted to table a recommendation to the City Council after residents and commissioners raised questions about lot sizes, accessory dwelling units and manufactured-house definitions.

Residents pressed the commission on specifics during the public hearing, especially how the draft would treat short-term rentals, smaller lots in R1/R2/R3 zones, and whether manufactured homes would be limited to subdivisions. Staff and commissioners agreed to return with clarified language before forwarding a recommendation to the City Council.

The amendments in discussion would change permitted lot sizes, minimum dwelling sizes and how planned unit developments (PUDs) are handled in Parowan’s R1, R2 and R3 zones. Dan (city planning staff) said the code changes are intended to “find a balance” that preserves a rural, small‑town character while allowing more affordable housing options. “Rural Done Right is not meant to just upzone the city. It is meant to find a balance,” Dan said.

Why it matters: The package would alter what property owners can build without special approvals and what must come through conditional reviews. That affects housing affordability, subdivision design, infrastructure needs and how future annexations will be developed.

Most important details

- Public concerns and staff responses: Cindy Smith (resident) asked how a proposed short-term rental rule that would limit rentals to owner‑occupied properties would operate in practice. Dan said short-term rental rules are a separate piece of work and will be developed after the zoning changes; the owner‑on‑site requirement is intended to limit corporate…