Holladay Digest

September 22nd, 2026

Planning Commission Meeting

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Topics

ADU Ordinance Amendment (Title 13)
Required amendments to the city's existing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to comply with new state law mandates, with an October 1st enactment deadline
Amendment 1 – Zone Applicability
Extending detached ADU standards from the R1 zone to also apply to R2 and RM zones where detached single-family homes exist, per Utah Code §10-21-304, Subsection 1
Amendment 2 – Parking Standards
Updating parking requirements to be based on square footage (650 sq. ft. threshold) rather than number of bedrooms, per Utah Code §10-21-304, Subsection 3
Amendment 3 – Design/Architectural Restrictions
Removing language regulating window placement, door placement, and color from the ordinance, in compliance with state limits on municipal architectural control
Language Clarification (Commissioner Gong)
Discussion on whether line 28–29 of the ordinance should specify "one existing primary single-family dwelling" to prevent misinterpretation
Conditional Use Permits
Brief discussion on how larger ADUs (above staff-level approval thresholds) still go through the commission and how architectural controls apply in those cases
ADU Usage in Practice
Staff noted approximately 6–8 ADUs have been approved since the ordinance passed; most have been used for aging parents or family members with special needs, rather than purely as affordable housing units
Buffering Standards
Discussion on remaining permissible buffering tools (landscaping, wall sizes, biophilic elements) following removal of window/door placement restrictions
Parking Surface Standards
Confirmation that compacted gravel qualifies as an acceptable hard surface for parking stalls under current zoning

Decisions

No formal resolutions or decisions were recorded as adopted during the work session portion of this transcript.

Votes

No votes were recorded in the available transcript.

Actions

Amend ordinance language on line 28–29 to read "with one existing primary single-family dwelling"
City Staff / JohnNotesSuggested by Commissioner Gong to prevent misinterpretation
Finalize and enact Title 13 ADU ordinance amendments
City StaffNotesDeadline: October 1st (state-mandated)
Reconvene formal session to vote on the ordinance amendment
Chair / CommissionNotesTo occur after legally required interval following work session

Notes

State Legislative Context
Staff noted the city's existing ADU ordinance was already in strong alignment with newly mandated state requirements, requiring only minor tweaks. Staff complimented the commission for forward-thinking work that coincidentally overlapped with state standards.
State Preemption of Architectural Controls
Staff and legal counsel indicated the city is on "thin ice" regulating window/door placement for ADUs within setbacks, as state law limits municipal architectural authority. A commissioner expressed professional concern that this state restriction is "shortsighted."
Informal Public Comment
A commission member humorously suggested that affected state legislators might change the law if an ADU were built under current rules adjacent to their own property.
Off-Topic Discussion
Toward the end of the transcript, commissioners engaged in informal conversation about the Great Salt Lake water levels, weather predictions, Deer Valley Resort expansion, and MIDA (Military Installation Development Authority), none of which were formal agenda items.
Note on Transcript Quality
The transcript contains apparent transcription errors (e.g., "1026" for 2026, fragmented speech) and informal/off-topic dialogue that limits the completeness of this summary.

Summarized September 23, 2026

HOLLADAY DIGEST