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Provo council restores 100‑foot river setback, tightens requirements for development in sensitive lands
Summary
After public comment expressing erosion and flooding concerns, the council unanimously adopted code amendments that remove a 40‑foot exception and return to a 100‑foot river setback and adjust timing of hazard‑agreement recording for high water table areas.
The Provo Municipal Council voted unanimously to adopt amendments to the city’s development code affecting sensitive lands and river setbacks. Planning staff said the changes alter recording timing for public hazard agreements in high‑water‑table areas and remove an existing 40‑foot exception to the 100‑foot river setback for building or development.
Tammy Longson, a nearby resident, told the council she feared that allowing development closer to the river could destabilize banks and flood yards: "If they go in 60 feet or, yeah, 60 feet from where it's supposed to be, then I'm pretty scared that my home's gonna be and the neighborhood." Councilors clarified that previously granted approvals are grandfathered but future projects will be bound by the restored 100‑foot setback.
Council discussion reiterated the policy intent to protect the river as a city asset and to avoid further erosion and flood risk. Staff and councilors agreed to take any site‑specific concerns offline with public works staff. The ordinance passed 7–0.
