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Commission weighs berm standards and prepares to adopt state wildland‑urban‑interface map
Summary
Planners advised developers to assume a 2‑foot commercial berm standard pending site‑plan flexibility and reviewed a state mandate (House Bill 48) requiring adoption of a wildland‑urban‑interface code and map by Jan. 1; commissioners discussed maintenance, water‑wise landscaping and potential tax assessments tied to state fire maps.
During the Nov. 25 meeting staff asked the commission for direction on commercial streetscape standards and updated planners on a state mandate to adopt a wildland‑urban‑interface (WUI) code.
Planning staff noted Lindon code (17.48.30) requires a landscaped berm—20 feet wide and living vegetation—usually 3 feet along State Street and 2 feet along 700 North. Staff asked what to tell developers; commissioners expressed concern about drought‑tolerant ('water‑wise') landscaping and erosion if berms are built with rock or gravel, and several favored advising developers to plan for a 2‑foot berm with flexibility at site‑plan review.
Staff also briefed commissioners on House Bill 48, which requires cities to adopt the International Code Council’s WUI provisions and identify WUI zones on a map. Staff said the state mandate must be implemented by Jan. 1 and that the state will publish a higher‑risk fire map; properties in high‑risk areas could face assessments tied to the state’s fire‑hazard determinations. Staff advised that mapped WUI areas can change as adjacent parcels develop and that the city will remove developed parcels from the WUI map when appropriate.
Commissioners asked how the requirement affects residents; staff replied it primarily affects building materials, defensible space and certain permit reviews for additions or new construction in mapped areas. The WUI adoption will go to city council next week as required by the state deadline.
Next steps: staff will tell developers to provide plans that meet a 2‑foot berm baseline with site‑plan flexibility and will forward the WUI ordinance and map to council for adoption by Jan. 1.
