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Planning commission recommends removing river‑setback exception, asks council for river corridor plan
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to recommend a text amendment to remove the existing exception to Provo's 100‑foot river setback and to streamline timing for hold‑harmless agreements for high water table permits, while urging the council to complete a river corridor plan that preserves public access.
The Provo Planning Commission on Dec. 10 recommended that City Council approve a text amendment to Provo City Code to eliminate the exception that allowed some development within the 100‑foot Provo River setback and to streamline building permit procedures for high‑water‑table properties.
Aaron Ardmore told commissioners the change has two parts: shifting the timing of a recorded hold‑harmless agreement for high water table cases to occur before certificate of occupancy rather than before permit issuance, and removing the ad hoc exception for the river setback while staff develops comprehensive river corridor standards. "We felt comfortable changing the timing of that to before the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the building rather than issuing the permit," Ardmore said.
Public commenters asked the commission to preserve and improve public access to the river and to protect trees, trails and aesthetic values. Commissioners said they support a studied approach: pause the current exception while the river corridor plan is developed, and return with specific standards that guarantee public access and consistent design.
Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the code amendments to city council and urged staff and council to complete the river corridor study and produce clear standards for setbacks, access and amenities.
The change is legislative (a recommendation to council); if council approves it, the exception will be removed until the corridor plan and updated standards are adopted.
