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Council scraps proposed school overlay but approves gateway overlay parking clarification
Summary
After extended debate about unintended consequences, the council declined to adopt a new school overlay but voted to amend gateway overlay parking rules to explicitly include freeways; the action was approved unanimously with the school overlay withdrawn for further work.
The Saratoga Springs City Council on Sept. 16 declined to adopt a proposed school overlay but approved a narrower amendment to the gateway overlay that adds “freeways” to the list of road types subject to gateway parking rules.
City staff presented two related code changes to Title 19: (1) a proposed school overlay intended to clarify permitted uses and reference Utah state code for schools in multiple zones, and (2) a correction to the gateway overlay to explicitly include freeways in the list of roadway contexts that affect parking and building placement.
Council members raised concerns the school overlay, as drafted, could unintentionally permit non‑school uses — such as bus yards, refueling stations or large office buildings — on properties adjacent to schools if the overlay were placed over residential zones. Councilman Wilden and others said such a change might undermine existing underlying zoning and recommended either removing problematic permitted uses from the draft overlay or defaulting to the underlying IC (institutional/civic) zone and handling exceptions via development agreement.
City attorney and staff said state law already requires school and classroom facilities to be permitted in all zones, and that an overlay should not undermine the underlying code. In light of those concerns, council members asked staff to withdraw the school overlay and return with a revised approach after additional work with individual council members and staff.
The council approved the gateway overlay parking amendment — adding the term “freeways” (or “highways/freeways”) to the code language that governs whether parking may be located between buildings and certain roadways — to address projects fronting proposed freeway sections such as parts of Pioneer Crossing. The motion to approve the gateway amendment and deny the remainder of the Title 19 amendments passed unanimously. Vote: Wadman — Aye; Karn — Aye; Wilden — Aye; Comber — Aye; Barton — Aye.
Staff said they will not move forward with the school overlay in its present form and will bring a revised proposal after further review and stakeholder meetings.
