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Commissioners debate setback projections, property-line measurement and lot coverage limits
Summary
The commission discussed how to measure projections into setbacks, suggested measuring from property lines rather than building envelopes, and considered lot coverage and stormwater implications for smaller lots.
At an Aug. 27 work session, Payson Planning Commission members reviewed rules on projections into setbacks, the definition of the building envelope, and lot coverage limits as the city sees smaller lots proposed by developers.
Staff explained the building envelope concept — typical front and rear setbacks of about 25 feet and side setbacks of roughly 8 to 10 feet in many zones — and commissioners discussed allowing limited projections into that envelope where the projection is not integral to a building’s function. Several members urged measuring critical minimum distances from the property line instead of from the house or “end of the setback” so the rule remains clear if zone setbacks change in the future.
Commissioners raised practical concerns about small-lot development (examples discussed included 40-foot-wide lots and 40-by-80-foot lots), noting that requiring standard setbacks could make building on narrow lots infeasible. They proposed a simple minimum dimension from property lines (for example, no closer than 3 or 5 feet) rather than tying allowances to a changing “setback” number.
The commission also discussed lot coverage and impervious-surface rules tied to stormwater management. Members said residential developments with high percentages of hard surfaces may need different detention/retention requirements or engineering to handle runoff. Staff and commissioners noted that large developments will require appropriate storm drainage design and that individual property owners remain responsible for on-site drainage.
Next steps: staff will consider redrafting projection and setback language to use property-line measurements, and to clarify how lot-coverage limits interact with stormwater requirements.
