Planning staff returned April 22 with revisions to the Central Heber overlay (the CHAWs draft) after multiple workshops and public feedback. The draft responds to commissioners’ direction to allow a wider mix of smaller housing types—subordinate dwelling units (SDUs), townhouses, twin homes, flag lots and small lots—while retaining standards for public works, fire access and neighborhood character.

Key changes staff presented included removing a 300-square-foot minimum footprint for subordinate dwelling units, allowing SDUs on separate lots with permanent access easements, updating townhouse design standards (including a five‑unit maximum for attached buildings in the central neighborhoods) and retaining a 35‑foot height for townhouse-style buildings. The staff report also revisited parking and public‑utility easement placement in front yards so side‑yard utilities do not conflict with streetscape design.

Commissioners debated whether to require owner‑occupancy or a long‑term rental minimum for certain units to reduce short‑term rental conversions. The commission directed staff to add a long‑term occupancy provision (the commission discussed a 12‑month minimum tenancy for rental units in the overlay) and to retain the SDU owner‑occupation requirement so those units are intended as ownership opportunities. The commission also asked staff to relax a proposed 20‑foot height cap on SDUs and flag lots to 25 feet to avoid restricting one‑story designs with normal roof pitch.

Design details were refined: garages were discussed as a design tool to reduce the apparent width of driveways and to separate living areas between attached units; commissioners favored alternatives to long continuous garage facades and asked staff to include example graphics that show alternating garage and house facades. Staff also added a clarification that mansion‑style apartments (triplex/fourplex forms that resemble single‑family buildings) will require separate utility service where they are converted to condominiums.

After the edits discussed in the meeting, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the CHAWs draft “as per revisions currently in red” (the staff redline), the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners noted this would increase allowable density in parts of the overlay and asked staff and council to review downtown parking regulations and consider parking districts or permit parking to manage on‑street demand.

Ending: The planning commission unanimously recommended the updated CHAWs text to the city council. Staff will incorporate the revisions discussed — including SDU footprint removal, 25‑foot SDU/flag‑lot height, townhouse and garage‑configuration guidance, and long‑term rental/owner‑occupancy clarifications — before preparing the council packet.