Schofield holds hearing on proposed reduction of setback from 20 to 10 feet

The Schofield Town Council held a public hearing Monday evening to consider an amendment to the town's Land Use Code Table 4 that would reduce the minimum on-site setback from streets from 20 feet to 10 feet.

The amendment, proposed June 9, drew public comment from property owners and others who said the change could help build on narrow lots, while town officials noted outstanding questions about sight lines, utility meters and coordination with Carbon County and the town attorney. After public comment the council voted to close the hearing and carry the proposal forward for further review.

Supporters at the hearing said the proposed change would make several narrow lots in town more buildable. "We have some really narrow lots in town," an attendee said during public comment, adding that reducing the setback could "help people be able to build on those." Council members and commenters discussed corner visibility, fences and landscaping as potential safety concerns if setbacks were reduced.

Deborah Brown, who identified herself as an owner of a cabin outside town, said she had spoken with Carbon County's head of building and relayed his advice to the council: avoid creating piecemeal variances. "You really don't want to just create variances and provide single things piecemeal around town," Brown said, summarizing the county official's recommendation that Schofield take a comprehensive approach to any change.

Town officials also said the town attorney has reviewed the draft amendment but has not yet issued a formal opinion. Council members said they will coordinate with Carbon County, which is revising ordinances for the area, and will examine practical issues including sight lines at corners and the location of utility meters and services before taking further action.

During the hearing council members read the current rule aloud: the minimum setback "from a dwelling to any lot line of a street" is 20 feet and the minimum setback for accessory buildings measured from a lot line of a street is also 20 feet. The proposed amendment would make one of those setbacks 10 feet (summarized at the hearing as changing one of the two 20-foot requirements to 10 feet). Commenters and council members discussed whether that change would apply to additions as well as new construction and whether a property-specific waiver process could address unique circumstances.

After public comment the council moved to close the hearing so staff could collect more information and seek legal review. One council member made the motion to close; the council then called for the vote and members present voted in favor. The council noted two regular attendees were absent from the meeting.

The town did not adopt the amendment at the June 9 hearing. Council members said they will return the proposal to staff for more information on safety implications, utility and meter placement, formal feedback from Carbon County building officials and a written opinion from the town attorney before any formal ordinance change is scheduled for a decision.

The council scheduled no date for a final decision; next steps stated at the hearing were additional staff research and legal review.