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Resident urges city to require 20-foot garage stalls so family vehicles and stair access fit
Summary
During public comment at the May 26 American Fork City Council meeting, Michelle Hawkins urged the council to require a 20-foot unobstructed garage stall depth for single-family homes, saying many new 'two-car' designs are functionally too shallow; council members expressed sympathy and asked staff to check state constraints.
Michelle Hawkins, a resident who said she and her husband bought a 2017 home in American Fork, told the council on May 26 that the city’s current parking requirement leaves many new single-family homes with garages that cannot accommodate everyday family vehicles and safe access.
"We thought we were buying a two-car garage, but in reality, we bought a zero-car garage," Hawkins said, describing a garage depth she said functions as only about 15 1/2 feet. She asked the council to "redefine a residential stall as a 20ft unobstructed space" so families can park a minivan or small truck and still use stair landings safely.
Council member Hunter said he was "sympathetic" to the concern and asked staff to check whether recent state legislative changes affect the city’s authority to mandate garage size. Other members of the council echoed praise for Memorial Day community events before returning to business but did not take immediate action on parking standards.
Hawkins also asked the council to consider higher standards related to soil compaction around AC pads for new construction; she did not provide a specific code proposal for that issue.
The council did not vote on any changes to the municipal code at the meeting. Council member Hunter asked staff to research whether the city may legally require a 20-foot stall depth and report back, indicating the issue may return for formal consideration if the city retains the authority to do so.
