Planning commission backs conditional use permit for six modular units at Frost Lane with conditions to follow

The Orderville Town Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for Tim Hoyt to develop a modular apartment complex of up to six units at 40 and 50 Frost Lane.

Commission members discussed the parcels’ nonconforming status and site constraints, including lot sizes smaller than current residential minimums. Speaker 2 noted that R‑1A zoning requires 12,000 square feet and R‑1 requires 9,000 square feet, while several parcels at the site are under 8,000 square feet, so the development will require special handling of lot lines or other adjustments. Speaker 2 said, “I haven’t put a list of conditions together yet, and that could and should be one of them,” and said the conditions would be drafted and presented to the Town Council ahead of next week’s meeting.

Board members also raised concerns about the potential for units to convert to short‑term rentals. Speaker 2 said the Commission would include a condition addressing long‑term rental use as appropriate before forwarding the recommendation to Town Council. Participants discussed alternatives including realigning parcels so the occupied rear house becomes part of a conforming parcel, or including the adjacent shop parcel to achieve required lot area without rezoning.

A motion to approve the Commission recommendation was moved and seconded; one commissioner stated they would abstain, and the vote was recorded in the discussion as four yes votes and one abstention. The Commission’s recommendation is to approve the conditional use permit with final conditions to be drafted by staff and returned with the item to Town Council.

Next steps: staff will circulate a proposed list of conditions to the Commission and include the item on the Town Council agenda for final action.