Commission recommends code changes to allow home-based microschools, with traffic review requirement

Midvale’s Planning & Zoning Commission voted May 13 to recommend that City Council adopt a text amendment to Title 17 that implements S.B. 13 (2024), creating definitions and supplementary regulations for "home-based microschools" and "micro-education entities" and permitting both uses in all zones.

Staff emphasized the city has included optional regulatory provisions allowed by the state, including a requirement that larger micro-education entities submit a traffic plan for review and approval by the City Engineer. Planning staff and the Planning Director said that any micro-education entity would also need applicable building, fire, and licensing approvals during the building-permit and business-license review process.

Commissioner Dustin Snow raised questions about traffic and the potential for 16 to 100 students to generate pickup/drop-off activity and on-street parking pressure in residential areas. Staff responded that occupancy limitations, building permit review, fire marshal sign-off, and the City Engineer’s traffic plan review would be tools to manage impacts. No public commenters expressed concern in the hearing record.

Commissioner Candice Erickson moved to recommend approval; Vice Chair Shane Liedtke seconded. The motion carried unanimously (6–0) and the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council.