Garden City council holds public hearing on buffer ordinance, approves first reading by title

Garden City held a public hearing Feb. 24 on CPA FY24‑4, a proposed “buffer” ordinance that would align base zoning with the city’s comprehensive plan, add a new residential medium‑density (RM) zone and create standards for setbacks, perimeter landscaping, transitions adjacent to single‑family neighborhoods and activity nodes.

The ordinance as drafted would create an RM zone allowing up to 15 units per acre and a 45‑foot maximum building height as drafted; staff and supporters described the RM zone as a tool that would not automatically rezone property but would be available when a rezoning is proposed. Director of Development Services Jenna Thornborough summarized the draft: it codifies activity nodes from the comprehensive plan, clarifies setbacks and exceptions, establishes transition areas adjacent to R2 residential zoning, and adds design standards intended to preserve visual privacy for existing homes.

Why it matters: The proposal changes how medium‑density housing near low‑density neighborhoods would be regulated in Garden City, including permitted densities, height limits, and landscaping and design requirements. Those code changes affect where and how future housing and mixed‑use projects could be sited and built along corridors such as Chinden/Chinden Boulevard, Garrett and…