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Commission discusses temporary sales‑office options for Smith Grove development; suggests interim permit with limits
Summary
Commissioners discussed options for a temporary sales office, such as a construction trailer or model home, at Smith Grove Third (University and Viking). Staff suggested an interim or conditional permit with a clear end date and conditions to avoid a temporary structure becoming permanent; no formal application was before the commission.
The Planning Commission discussed Feb. 20 how developers of Smith Grove Third — the single‑family development at University and Viking — might operate a temporary sales office while they finish remaining lots.
Staff described options including using a model home, a construction trailer or temporary accessory structure and suggested the city treat such uses through a short-term interim permit or similar conditional allowance with an explicit expiration date and conditions (for example, removal when the model sells or at a specified deadline). Commissioners and staff stressed that the city should avoid allowing temporary structures to remain indefinitely.
Commission members noted common industry practice — builders frequently use a model home as a sales office or a temporary trailer for a limited period — and asked staff to consider a code amendment to clarify acceptable temporary sales-office uses going forward. Staff recalled previous cases where interim-use requests required compliance with accessibility and commercial-building rules when the temporary structure included toilet facilities or was used as a place of business.
No formal action was taken; staff said they would advise the developer on options and consider whether a code amendment or an interim‑use permit template would be appropriate to address similar requests in the future.
