Providence planning commission moves Timberbrook Homes rezoning request to public hearing

The Providence City Planning Commission on a study-item advanced a request to rezone parcel 02-096-0048 (in the area of 314 West 100 South) from AGR (agriculture) to R-16 and set the item for a public hearing to allow public comment and further staff review. The commission voted to schedule the public hearing, with Ty to publish and set the hearing date (commission discussion referenced June 11 as a target date).

The request, submitted April 28, was presented by Providence planning staff. Scarlett (planning staff) told commissioners the study item allows the planning commission to review the proposed change in zoning district and to schedule the required public hearing before making a recommendation to the Providence City Council. Scarlett emphasized that a zone change is a policy decision; specific subdivision design and engineering would be reviewed only after a zone is in place and at preliminary plat or plan-of-development stages.

Developer Dallin Tolman of Timberbrook Homes described the firm as a local builder focused on “affordable” single-family homes (he said most plans would price under about $450,000–$500,000). Tolman said the request for R-16 is driven largely by frontage requirements: the existing parcel is wide and some larger zones’ frontage rules would force lot sizes that make the product less affordable. Tolman said his concept shows lots generally at or above 10,000 square feet and that the existing house on the property would be retained on roughly a half-acre parcel; outbuildings and a barn would be removed.

Scarlett reviewed how the request relates to Providence’s general plan and the city’s moderate-income housing plan. Staff noted the proposed R-16 zone supports city goals to provide a range of housing types and is one of the strategies cities may use to “rezone for densities necessary to facilitate the production of moderate income housing.” Scarlett cautioned that zoning alone does not guarantee price or affordability, which are determined by the market and developer choices.

Neighbors spoke during the study-item public comment. Reese Peterson, a nearby resident, said he is not opposed to development but asked commissioners to consider irrigation impacts and said he would prefer slightly larger lots; he also suggested additional parking or a small dog area to reduce parking and pet complaints he said exist near the adjacent townhomes. Commissioners and staff explained irrigation companies will be notified and engaged during the subdivision/plan-of-development stage and that routing and mitigation (including piping or other measures) will be worked out with the developer, city engineer and irrigation companies as part of later reviews.

Commissioners asked about frontage, road cross-section and whether 325 West would be extended through the property; staff confirmed the alignment follows the master plan and the right-of-way transitions to match adjacent development. Commissioners also discussed sidewalk, bike lane and parking expectations; staff and the developer said the final road section and improvements will be addressed at plat and engineering review.

After questions and discussion the commission voted to move the rezone application to a public hearing. The motion carried and staff will schedule public notice and the hearing. Following the public hearing the commission will take public comment, make a recommendation to the Providence City Council, and the council will make the final decision.

Votes/Actions at the meeting: the commission voted to schedule a public hearing on the Timberbrook Homes rezone request (motion carried; hearing publication/notice to be set by staff).