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
Recent “Development” posts
- Having a Voice in the Future of IvinsPDF 📄I was going to call this article “What Mojave Village Can Teach Us About Working Together to Protect Our Community,” but that’s a bit much for a title! In my September “Monthly Ivins Update” email to residents, I asked residents to email me with their thoughts about Mojave Village. More than 200 took the…
- Mojave Village: A Big Proposal Moving QuicklyPDF 📄Ivins is considering a significant new development called Mojave Village, approximately 64 acres near Guy Lane and Fitness Way. The proposal includes 369 units: 160 Resort Commercial townhomes that could be used as short-term rentals, nearly 200 smaller-lot single-family homes, and estate lots of an acre or more. That’s a lot to consider. At…
- Mojave Village: Your Questions, Concerns & My ResponsesPDF 📄Since I posted information about the proposed Mojave Village development, I’ve received more than 100 emails and a lot of social media comments. Some are strongly opposed. Some ask good questions. Some raise concerns I share. Some reflect understandable misunderstandings about what is actually being proposed, which is one reason I think providing more…
- A New Plan for 64 Acres in Ivins: Mojave VillagePDF 📄There are two important public hearings this week regarding Mojave Village, a proposed development of approximately 64 acres near Guy Lane and Fitness Way. The proposal would change the Land Use and Zoning Maps to allow a mix of housing types and Resort Commercial development. The proposed plan includes: 160 Resort Commercial townhomes that…
- SITLA Responses to Resident ConcernsPDF 📄I have received a number of emails from residents opposed to the annexation of the SITLA land just off Hwy 91 next to the Indigo Trails neighborhood and the proposed “Anasazi Commons” attainable housing development (previously called Anasazi Ridge). After reviewing all of the emails I’ve received so far, I found 37 different concerns…