The Planning Commission discussed relaxing the City’s requirements for the size of attached garages for single-family homes at its June 1, 2021 meeting. Currently, the square footage of attached garages is limited to 50% of the home’s footprint for homes on less than one-half acre, 60% for homes on one-half to just under one acre, and 70% on homes on one acre or larger lots.
This has become an issue because developers are finding a demand from home buyers for garages that can accommodate their recreational vehicles or motor homes in addition to their cars. So, this is also creating a second issue, garage height. Currently, Ivins does not allow an attached garage to be higher than the home. So, we are seeing new one-story homes being built higher than they would be normally, to match the extra garage height needed. You can decide for yourself if that’s aesthetically pleasing or not. The home buyers appear content.
Commissioners were mixed on whether to change the current requirement. Some suggested just two tiers: 60% garage area for lots under one acre and 70% for more than an acre. They discussed possibly adding a maximum garage size. And Commissioner Anderson commented that the key is to ensure that the home plus garage still looks like a home and not a home attached to a commercial structure. In other words, keep everything on a human scale.
In a way, the discussion is mute for a lot of single-family development. The State has now eliminated the ability for cities to regulate many building design elements, including building color, for one- and two-family homes. However, if a developer of a subdivision enters into a development agreement with the City, that agreement can include design element requirements. Development agreements typically come into play when developers look for density bonuses. And HOAs can regulate design elements, including garage size, in their CC&Rs.
This discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
Note: Please let me know if I have misunderstood anything in this discussion. Also, please share your comments and tell me about other Ivins issues I have not addressed in recent posts. CONTACT ME
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