Roy City planning commission backs adding R‑5 high‑density residential zone to zoning code

On April 8, 2025 the Roy City Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to City Council to add an R‑5 high‑density residential district to the city’s zoning code (Title 10) and to amend Table 10.1 (minimum lot and setback requirements) to establish distinct allowed unit densities for R‑3, R‑4 and the new R‑5 zone.

Staff explained the proposal as a code‑clarification and an option for locations that may be appropriate for greater density. Steve Parkinson told commissioners that prior editions of the code (1973 and 2004) allowed higher densities in some multifamily zones and that, in 2005, the code was changed so that R‑2, R‑3 and R‑4 shared the same density—creating confusion. The proposed changes would distinguish the zones again: R‑3 remaining lower density, R‑4 increasing to about 18 units per acre, and a new R‑5 available for 20–25 units per acre, where appropriate.

Parkinson also framed the amendment in the context of the state’s “modern income housing” menu and the station‑area plans that already use higher densities; adopting an R‑5 zone would allow Roy to meet certain state‑level options that count toward the city’s housing goals. He emphasized that creating the zone does not automatically rezone any property and that applications for R‑5 would still require the normal public‑notice and review process.

Commissioners discussed the visual examples staff provided, tradeoffs between supply and neighborhood character, and whether the city should proactively zone for higher density or reserve it for targeted areas such as near transit or major arterials. Several commissioners noted that if the city adopted R‑5 as an option they would limit it to appropriate locations rather than allowing wide, ad hoc rezones.

The commission voted in favor of forwarding the amendment to City Council. In the roll call on the motion to recommend the R‑5 amendment, commissioners recorded aye votes including Commissioner Thompson (aye), Commissioner Tanner (aye), Commissioner Bailey (aye), Commissioner Hobert (aye), Commissioner Felt (aye) and Commissioner Kelly (aye). The recommendation will return to the City Council, which holds final authority to adopt code changes.