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Planning commission recommends MPZ amendments to city council, changes 'shall' to 'should' on minimum lot size
Summary
Willard planning commissioners held a public hearing March 6 on proposed amendments to the Master Plan Community (MPZ) zone to align the code with the general plan, clarify valuation for fees‑in‑lieu and standardize process steps, and they voted to recommend the edited package to city council.
The Willard City Planning Commission held a public hearing Thursday, March 6, 2025, on proposed amendments to the Master Plan Community (MPZ) zoning chapter and voted to forward the revisions to city council with an administrative change requested by the commission.
City planning staff described the amendments as clarifications to tie the MPZ language directly to the city's general plan, standardize appraisal and valuation for fees‑in‑lieu of open space, and align MPZ procedures with other subdivision and zoning processes. "The changes to the MPZ zone just tie it in a more clear way right in the MPZ to the rest of our code," a city staff presenter said during the hearing.
Why it matters: The MPZ provides developers flexibility in exchange for public benefits such as open space or infrastructure. Commissioners debated how prescriptive the code should be on lot sizes, density and the way the city measures benefits. Several commissioners said they support MPZ flexibility but want clearer, measurable benefits for the city.
Discussion highlights: Commissioners and members of the public discussed minimum lot size language in section 24‑24‑050, which currently sets a minimum lot size of 14,500 square feet (roughly one‑third of an acre) as a guide. Several commissioners proposed using "should" rather than "shall" in that provision to keep the MPZ flexible and preserve the commission’s ability to approve creative site designs with smaller lots offset by greater open space or other public benefits.
City attorney and staff explained that the MPZ rezone process remains a legislative decision for city council; commission recommendations are advisory. During the hearing, staff also noted other changes: clarifying which general‑plan policies MPZ proposals must meet, defining the appraisal process for fee‑in‑lieu valuations, and standardizing pre‑application and review steps to match the rest of city code.
Outcome: A commissioner moved to recommend the amendments to city council with the discussed edits — most notably changing the minimum‑lot sentence from "shall" to "should" — and to forward administrative corrections noted by commissioners. The motion passed unanimously; the commission did not adopt the amendments as ordinance language but recommended the package, with edits, for council consideration.
Next steps: Staff will incorporate the commission's edits and administrative corrections and forward the amended ordinance language and staff report to city council for a legislative decision. If council approves, MPZ language will be updated in the municipal code.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to add clearer, measurable language about benefits to the city so future MPZ proposals show how they meet the general plan and provide enforceable public benefits rather than relying on subjective claims.
