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Commission backs code amendment capping building height at 35 feet from finished grade
Summary
The commission recommended that city council approve a code text amendment clarifying building-height measurement and capping new development at 35 feet as measured from the finished grade to prevent artificially taller homes created by cutting into hillsides.
Pleasant Grove’s planning commission on April 9 voted to forward a recommendation of approval to city council for a narrowly targeted code text amendment that clarifies how building height is measured and adds a cap: in no case shall a new development exceed 35 feet as measured from the finished grade.
Planner Jacob Hawkins explained the change responds to questions raised at a recent city-council hearing about homes cut into hillsides. The amendment clarifies that height is generally measured from the average between original and finished grade up to the roof peak, but the added sentence caps height from the finished grade to prevent developers from cutting into a hillside to achieve an effectively taller building.
Commissioners discussed walk-out basements and the averaging method; Hawkins said the amendment does not change previously approved projects but prevents future projects from using major grade changes to increase allowable height. The commission voted to forward a recommendation of approval to city council; staff indicated no additional conditions were required.
