Planning commission recommends zone change for 1485 West 400 South to allow two smaller residential lots

The Hurricane City Planning Commission on March 13 recommended that the City Council approve a zone change for 1485 West 400 South that would allow the existing parcel (H-3-2-4-1416) to be split into two lots with different residential zoning.

The applicant, Donna Butler, asked the commission to allow part of the property to be rezoned to RA 0.5 (one unit per half acre) and R1-15 (single-family residential, one unit per 1,500 square feet) so she could keep a larger rear parcel for herself and sell or rent a smaller parcel along the road. "I just needed to split... I'd like to have something in Hurricane," Donna Butler said when explaining her intent to retain the back portion and separate the frontage lot.

Planning staff confirmed the request is a zone-change recommendation only, not a subdivision approval. The proposed configuration anticipates a flag-lot-style access for the rear parcel; planning staff told the commission that Hurricane has an existing flag-lot ordinance and that any future subdivision would have to meet that ordinance's standards.

Commission discussion focused on whether the proposed lot dimensions would allow compliance with the flag-lot requirements and whether access and turnaround for emergency vehicles could be provided. Planning staff indicated the parcel appears large enough to meet the ordinance and that secondary review at the subdivision stage would address utility connections and turnaround design.

After discussion a commissioner moved to recommend approval to the City Council subject to staff and Joint Utility Committee (JUC) comments; the motion was seconded and carried. The commission noted the matter will go to the City Council at its next meeting for final action.

The applicant and neighbors were invited to testify before the City Council when the item is scheduled; staff said the council meeting is planned for the following Thursday.