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Council continues steeple‑height ordinance after lengthy public discussion, asks staff to refine language
Summary
After a public hearing and detailed staff presentation, the Midway City Council voted to continue consideration of an ordinance that would amend municipal code to allow taller church steeples under strict conditions; council directed staff to refine setback, width and tapering language and return April 15.
The Midway City Council opened a public hearing on March 18 to consider an ordinance (2025‑O‑6) that would amend the city code to allow certain church steeples to exceed the general building height limit, then voted to continue the matter to its April meeting so staff could refine the proposed language.
City planner Michael explained the proposal, which would permit church steeples up to 70 feet from natural grade if strict conditions were met, including a minimum lot size (three acres), side and rear setbacks of at least 100 feet, limits on steeple width and visual tapering requirements. Michael said the ordinance was intended to preserve traditional steeple proportions while minimizing visual impacts on neighbors and mountain views.
Why it matters: Current city code permits architectural features such as spires to extend 50% above the standard building height, which limited steeples to about 52.5 feet on a 35‑foot building. The proposed change would allow taller, traditionally proportioned steeples on larger lots but contains multiple design restrictions. The planning commission recommended approval with modifications.
Public comments and council concerns
Speakers raised concerns about view impacts, steeple width and how tapering would be enforced; multiple councilmembers said the proposed 15‑foot maximum width for the portion of a steeple above the building appeared large compared with existing local examples (many local steeples measure about 8–12 feet at the base). Councilmembers suggested requirements that encourage green space or landscaping at a building’s front, avoid parking between the street and a church front, and create a graduated height allowance tied to setback distance rather than a single fixed allowance.
Council direction and vote
After discussion, a council motion to continue the ordinance passed unanimously. Councilmembers asked staff to return with edited language addressing several topics: (1) smaller maximum width for the steeple base (council discussed 10–12 feet rather than 15), (2) clearer tapering requirements to ensure a visually gradual taper rather than a stepped “layer cake” shape, (3) consideration of a graduated height allowance tied to setback distance to preserve views and avoid unintended site plan consequences, and (4) options to preserve green space in front of chapel buildings and discourage front‑of‑street parking. The council scheduled consideration of the revised ordinance for April 15.
Ending
The item was continued with unanimous council support to allow staff time to draft clarified language that balances traditional steeple design with neighborhood view protections and consistent setback/height treatments across the code.
