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Manti planning commission hears public concerns on proposed ADU code changes
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Summary
At a Feb. 10 public hearing, residents praised updates to allow ADUs and asked the commission to reconsider a five-foot balcony limit and setback requirements; no ordinance action was taken. The commission postponed approval of January minutes and adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
MANTI — The Manti City Planning Commission on Feb. 10 heard several residents ask the commission to refine proposed changes to the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) code (17.40.040), particularly rules on distance from a primary house and a five-foot balcony limit, but took no formal action on the ordinance.
Chairman Alan Christensen opened the public hearing and City Planner McKay Muhlestein read the proposed ordinance revisions. The floor was then opened for public comment.
Susan Manning asked detailed questions about how the draft ordinance treats the distance between an ADU and the primary residence and suggested the five-foot balcony restriction might be unnecessarily tight. Elise Van Orman thanked planners “for working on this tirelessly,” and urged the commission to consider loosening the five-foot balcony limit so homeowners could have larger balconies when they do not create problems. John Van Orman said he had raised the topic with the city council a year ago and told commissioners he had found Manti’s ADU rules more restrictive than in many other Utah cities; he thanked the commission for listening to prior input.
Brandie Bodell said the changes will allow homeowners to use their properties to help other families seeking rental housing, noting there is local demand for rentals. Lori Bishop said she generally supports the proposed changes but had not researched them in depth and emphasized that families need affordable housing.
Commissioners did not vote on the ADU ordinance at the Feb. 10 meeting. The commission handled two routine procedural items: Chair Christensen proposed postponing approval of the Jan. 13, 2026 meeting minutes until the March 10 meeting so members could review them; Planning Commission Member Gavin Cox made the motion, Richard Gardner seconded, and all four voting members (Ben Bramwell, Alan Christensen, Gavin Cox and Richard Gardner) voted in favor. Later, Ben Bramwell moved to adjourn, Gavin Cox seconded, and the commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:57 p.m.
The planning commission will reconvene on March 10, 2026; any action on the ADU code is expected to appear on a future agenda.