South Jordan council debates flag‑lot overlay rezone after development agreement failed; staff to draft changes

The South Jordan City Council on Feb. 4 discussed a contested application to use a newly adopted flag‑lot overlay zone for a two‑lot subdivision, focusing on whether the developer’s required development agreement should be amended so the rezone can be implemented.

Mayor Dawn Ramsey and Steven Schafermeyer, the city’s director of planning, told the council the rezone itself was approved by a 3–2 vote in December but the development agreement failed, which prevents the developer from using the zone. Schafermeyer said D‑3 of the draft agreement ‘‘is the accessory dwelling unit provision, which prohibited detached ADUs or what we call guest houses’’ and that the provision was added after earlier council concerns.

The debate centered on whether the development agreement should keep a prohibition on detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for lots created under the flag‑lot overlay. Councilmember Harris said he supported the prohibition and explained his reasoning: “I was in favor of that provision because…