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Ephraim commission recommends Watkins lot‑line amendment, tables two high‑density code changes
Summary
The planning commission recommended approval of a Watkins Subdivision lot‑line amendment but voted to table a C2 setback clarification and a proposed high‑density separation/mix requirement until the next meeting.
The Ephraim City Planning Commission on Jan. 14 recommended approval of a Watkins Subdivision amendment to combine parcel S‑880x into Lot 13 of the Sunset Estates Subdivision, creating a single 0.82‑acre lot. The commission approved the recommendation after staff described the minor lot‑line adjustment and related property transfers.
Megan Spurling, city planner, said the Watkins item had previously come before the commission and involves a straightforward amendment to adjust lot lines after a portion of parcel S‑880x was sold to Kurt Parry. Commissioner Joe Howe moved to recommend approval of the Watkins Subdivision Amendment; Commissioner Carol Jacobson seconded and the motion carried.
The commission separately considered two code items and chose to postpone both. Staff proposed a Code Update to add R4 (high‑density) residential requirements explicitly to the C2 zone setback table to reduce confusion; Spurling said the city’s code has always required residential developments in the C2 zone to meet R4 standards but the setback table lacked explicit language. Spurling said, "code has always required any residential developments to adhere to the R4 requirements for high density." Commissioners voted to table that change until the next meeting to allow further review.
A second proposed Code Amendment would require 1,000 feet of separation between identical high‑density developments and mandate a mix of multi‑family housing types once a 30% threshold is met, a measure staff and the previous city council drafted to prevent clustering of like developments. After discussion, the commission voted to table the amendment for additional consideration.
The commission’s actions mean the Watkins amendment will move forward to the council or next procedural step per local process, while the two code changes will return on a future agenda. Planner’s report items for the next meeting include the Rosengard Subdivision, a conditional use permit, and proposed apartment complexes.
