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Property owners outline options to create homes and preserve historic Pioneer house; commission offers procedural guidance
Summary
Owners of a 2‑acre property asked Mona planning staff whether they can preserve an older Pioneer house and still develop two houses behind it; staff advised surveys, a historic nomination, and possible variance or private‑road options.
Jonathan and Kaylene Newton told the Mona City Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 1 they own just over 2 acres that include an older house they wish to preserve and two additional home sites to support their adult sons’ independence.
The applicants described three possible approaches: (1) grant the historic house a reduced frontage (65 feet instead of the 75‑foot frontage required by code) so the house can be a smaller parcel while leaving room for two new houses; (2) create a private road to reduce frontage requirements and locate a house behind the existing house; or (3) donate a strip of land to allow a future public Center Street connection and address access/utility needs. They also flagged a 27‑foot gap of unowned land near their property and a shed on a neighbor’s lot that could impede a straight Center Street alignment.
Staff response and technical guidance: planning staff advised that historic designation could be pursued and that a reduced frontage/variance would require review; the city attorney (Nick) had been asked to review similar requests and staff suggested the applicants pursue historic registration in parallel. Chad Phillips, the city utilities lead, outlined sewer and water technical considerations: he said sewer lateral distance limitations and the need to upsize main lines could be necessary if service must run farther than typical lateral limits (he mentioned a 120‑foot standard for laterals and the possibility of using larger diameter mains for longer runs).
Commission guidance and next steps: staff told the applicants to obtain an engineer’s survey to locate proposed lots and utilities and to submit a historic designation application for the Pioneer house. Commissioners said a private road is one feasible route but would trigger road, turnaround (fire), and utility standards; if applicants sought a reduced frontage for the historic parcel, they would need to pursue a variance and provide supporting documentation showing historic significance and hardship.
No formal action was taken. Staff agreed to provide variance criteria and the variance application form, assist with utility feasibility questions and confirm setback and road‑design standards; the applicants said they will hire engineers and pursue the historic designation application.
