Commission forwards staff recommendation to add single‑family attached to NMU‑1 conditional uses, directs staff to study wider housing options

The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission on Feb. 13 voted to forward a staff‑recommended amendment to the Snyderville Basin Development Code to add 'dwelling unit, single‑family attached' to the NMU‑1 conditional‑use list, and separately directed staff to return with an analysis of whether additional housing types should be permitted or treated differently in NMU‑1.

Planners presented the proposal and said NMU‑1 is a new neighborhood mixed‑use zone that currently has no properties rezoned into it but is intended to concentrate future mixed‑use neighborhood growth where infrastructure and context allow. Staff recommended adding single‑family attached as a conditional use (CUP) rather than as an automatic allowed use to preserve discretionary review during MPD and rezoning applications.

Commissioners debated the tradeoffs: some argued making single‑family attached an allowed use would reduce barriers to housing in a time of constrained supply, while others warned that permitting residential types as‑of‑right risks developments that lack true mixed‑use character or could be manipulated into high‑end, non‑affordable housing. Staff and the planning director described the zone’s origin and the careful tests used to identify candidate NMU areas, and said a cautious approach with CUP review would allow design and site‑specific conditions to ensure the mixed‑use vision is met.

An initial motion to add single‑family attached as an allowed use failed. The commission then voted unanimously (7‑0) to forward the staff‑recommended code amendment (add single‑family attached to the NMU‑1 conditional uses) to the Summit County Council based on staff findings and conditions. Commissioners also passed, unanimously, a separate motion directing the manager’s office and staff to perform a thorough analysis of all housing types and definitions (for example, defining 'mixed‑use structure') in the NMU‑1 zone and return with recommendations to the commission and council.

Staff said they will return with refined language and additional options informed by the commission’s questions. The council will receive the commission’s recommendation and may adopt, modify, or reject the proposed amendment.

Meeting record: The commission adopted the staff recommendation as written and requested follow‑up analysis on NMU‑1 residential types and definitions.