Spring City hearing draws dozens as council advances proposal to allow half‑acre lots, limited multifamily

Spring City Council held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would lower the city's minimum lot size from 1.06 acres to 0.5 acres and allow a limited amount of multifamily housing.

The proposal drew sustained public comment from property owners, members of the planning and zoning commission, and preservation advocates who said the change could threaten the city's National Register historic district, increase pressure on water and sewer systems and the municipality's services, and was being advanced without adequate public process. Supporters said smaller lots increase housing choice and property‑owner rights and could help broaden the tax base.

Why it matters: City staff and residents said the change would affect long‑standing land‑use patterns in Spring City, could alter the ratio of historic to nonhistoric properties in the district, and might change how development in the city's buffer zone is handled. Speakers also raised questions about who would pay to extend utilities and whether the measure should be preceded by a professionally managed plan or a citywide survey.

Details of the proposal and planning background

Council members described the item as a rewrite of minimum lot rules to allow smaller lot divisions and an option to permit multifamily zoning in limited cases. Craig Paulson, Spring City's zoning administrator, told the hearing that planning and zoning had reviewed the issue and "voted to give the city council a recommendation … The vote was 3 in favor of keeping 1.06 acres, 1 opposed," and that the commission's motion had been about the percentage of the city that could be rezoned to multifamily rather than an endorsement of a townwide half‑acre minimum. Paulson added the city's general plan had been updated in 2023 and that a 2003 plan and a 1984 BYU study had informed zoning history.

Supporters and opponents at the hearing framed the tradeoffs differently. Phil Wood, a resident who spoke in favor, said forcing every home to sit on a full acre "limits who can afford to live here, young families, retirees, working residents alike" and argued smaller lots "offer flexibility and affordability." Kristen (Kristin) Mortensen, a planning and zoning commissioner who spoke in favor, said "47%, nearly half of the lots in town are 1 half acres or less," and called current rules unfair to residents who want the same options as neighbors.

Opponents focused on the historic district, infrastructure and process. David Figgott, speaking for others, cited a written statement from the State Historic Preservation Office that, he said, warned the reduction over time "will definitely, over time, negatively impact the integrity and viability of our National Historic District." Multiple speakers described the value of the city's heritage events and preservation grants and said those benefits could be at risk if density increases are not carefully managed.

Water, sewer and infrastructure concerns

Water availability, sewer capacity and who would pay for utility extensions were recurring themes. Council member Randy Strait -- who disclosed he is president of Horseshoe Irrigation Company -- told the meeting he has "disclosed that I'm the president of the Horseshoe Irrigation Company, as required in January" and said he had committed "to recuse myself from voting on anything specific to Horseshoe Irrigation Company." Residents pressed about culinary water, secondary irrigation water and the potential for more wells and septic systems in the buffer zone if development occurred outside city utilities.

Speakers argued both sides. Randy Strait told the audience the current utility rate increases adopted in 2023 would result in roughly "$18,003.60 over a 40 year period for a resident," disputing published claims that residents were being saddled with $40,000 each to pay for recent water and sewer projects. Others said adding roofs will increase the city's ability to maintain paved streets and other fixed costs, but several residents said the city lacks the daily sales‑tax base needed to pay for larger service demands.

Process, surveys and public engagement

Many speakers urged more time, a professionally guided general or master plan, and a broad, authenticated resident survey before the council acts. Daniel Cook and others requested a pause and asked that any council member with a direct financial interest (several speakers named a particular council member) recuse themselves from votes on the measure. Planning and zoning participants and others said they had discussed surveys and options but disagreed about whether earlier informal polls represented the public will: Paulson said a planning and zoning mailing returned about 110 responses from more than 500 mailed and that "76% of those who sent them back said they wanted open acre lots," a statistic supporters and opponents interpreted differently because response rates were limited.

Multifamily, the buffer zone and county approvals

Speakers sought clarity on two related points: whether changing the city's minimum lot size would automatically change county rules for adjacent buffer areas, and whether the ordinance would automatically allow multifamily construction throughout town. Sanpete County Commissioner Jim Cheating told the meeting a city decision to change in‑town minimums would not automatically convert county buffer zoning to half‑acre lots; any buffer‑zone change would still require county planning hearings and approvals. City staff and council members emphasized that multifamily zoning would require a separate rezoning process; one speaker summarized it concisely: "Just because you go to half acre minimum lot size has nothing to do with multifamily. Multifamily is a complete separate zone, and city council would have to approve the location for every multifamily zone anywhere in Spring City."

Allegations, ethics and next steps

Several citizens urged the council to postpone action and either place the question on a ballot referendum or commission third‑party technical studies. Jalen Williams cited Utah statutes in urging recusal and formal disclosure where council decisions could affect members' financial interests. Randy Strait said he had already disclosed his role with Horseshoe Irrigation Company and would recuse himself from votes involving the company should a direct conflict arise.

What happens next

Speakers at the hearing noted the city council intends to continue deliberations; some referenced an upcoming July meeting when the council may vote. Residents urged the council to slow the process, pursue a professionally managed master plan and complete a verified resident survey before taking final action.

Ending

The hearing lasted several hours and drew large turnout and extensive public comment reflecting deep divisions about property rights, historic preservation, infrastructure capacity and public process. Council members said they would consider the input as they proceed toward a decision. The council did not take a formal vote at the hearing.