Soda Springs planning commission recommends wide-ranging zoning code amendments, requests wording change to boarding-house definition

The Soda Springs Planning and Zoning Commission voted Dec. 9, 2025, to recommend a broad package of amendments to the city’s Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) to the City Council, approving the revisions with one specified modification to the boarding-house definition.

Clerk Melissa McDowell opened a public hearing on the proposed changes, which include adding, removing and amending definitions (for example, adult daycare, daycare center, family daycare center, preschool, nursing home and short‑term rental) and updating permitted and conditional uses across multiple zoning districts (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑1, C‑2, C‑3, M‑1, M‑2 and A‑1). No written public responses were received before the hearing, the minutes note.

Chairman Charles Fryar closed the public comment period and the commission discussed several technical edits. Commissioner Stephen Simmons pointed out that the definition for manufactured homes currently appears in the single‑family dwelling section (17.08.320) and suggested moving it to the dedicated manufactured‑home section (17.08.525) for clarity; City Attorney Tom Smith advised that the current placement has legal rationale and recommended retaining it. Simmons also asked why the phrase “motel or inn” remained in the boarding‑house definition (17.08.150) when similar wording had been removed elsewhere; Attorney Smith agreed that the phrase should be removed and instructed Clerk McDowell to make that edit.

Following that discussion, Commissioner Stephen Simmons moved to recommend the amended code sections to the City Council with the modification to remove “motel or inn” from the boarding‑house definition. Commissioner Waynet Jo Turner seconded the motion. The minutes record that the motion carried with all in favor; individual roll‑call votes were not listed.

The commission did not record further substantive action on unfinished or new business in the minutes. The meeting was adjourned after the vote.

The recommended ordinance amendments, as listed in the hearing, cover numerous Title 17 sections (including 17.04.070; 17.08.015; 17.08.100; 17.08.110; 17.08.150; 17.08.225; 17.08.262; 17.08.263; 17.08.280; 17.08.290; 17.08.320; 17.08.340; 17.08.345; 17.08.415; 17.08.440; 17.08.445; 17.08.485; 17.08.525; 17.08.560; 17.08.590; 17.08.600; 17.08.610; 17.08.633; 17.08.655; 17.08.667; 17.08.668; 17.08.761; 17.20.020; 17.20.030; 17.24.020; 17.24.030; 17.28.020; 17.28.030; 17.32.020; 17.32.030; 17.36.020; 17.40.020; 17.44.020; 17.44.030; 17.48.030; and 17.52.020) and will be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Soda Springs City Council for its formal review and any public hearings or votes required by municipal procedure.