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Council continues commercial architectural standards update after members request revisions
Summary
Riverton planners presented a broad rewrite of commercial architectural standards (Ordinance 25-12). Councilmembers raised concerns—particularly about four-sided architecture, glass limits and material rules—and unanimously voted to continue the item for further refinement and visual examples.
City planning staff presented proposed amendments to the commercial architectural standards in multiple commercial zones that would replace checklist-style requirements with more flexible, context-based language.
Planner Jason said staff and the planning commission had worked with local architects and developers to rewrite the rules, but the packet showed extensive redline changes. “It’s made it look like this was just a sea change,” Jason said, while stressing the edits were meant to standardize and modernize the code.
Council concerns: Several councilmembers questioned specific provisions. Councilmember McKay said the draft’s requirement that all four sides of a building “shall receive equal architectural design consideration” was too strong and risked requiring expensive treatments on non-visible elevations. She also asked whether the proposed 50% glass cap on building facades would prevent modern, high-glass office designs. Councilmember Broker asked for representative images to illustrate how the new standards would look in practice.
Council action: After discussion the council voted to continue Ordinance 25-12 to the May 6 council meeting. Councilmember McDougall made the motion to continue and Councilmember Broker seconded. Mayor and council members directed staff to return with revised language addressing four‑sided architecture, glass/materials clarifications and visual examples to help councilors and the public evaluate the changes.
Why it matters: The commercial architectural standards guide building design across downtown and the city’s commercial corridors. Councilmembers said they wanted staff to refine the draft so it would be business-friendly while avoiding unintended design or cost burdens for property owners.
Next step: Staff will prepare edited language and illustrative examples for the May 6 meeting. The council left the public hearing open so the item can be reopened without a new hearing if revisions are made before the next meeting.
