What do you think of the proposed creation of a Critical Hillside Overlay Zone?

Provo City residents are encouraged to provide input on new development within the city. We value our residents' opinion and ideas. Your input assists staff in ensuring that all viewpoints are heard and to make them aware of concerns as well as what residents see as a match to the City's vision.

Applicant

Provo City Council

Project address

Citywide Application

Description 

Provo City Council requests a Zone Map amendment to include multiple east bench properties in the Critical Hillside (CH) Overlay Zone. The CH Zone would be created in an ordinance text amendment as part of application PLOTA20200077. The full text of the proposed zone is here.

After problems with the gravel pit at the mouth of Provo Canyon, the City Council and Planning staff began work on a Critical Hillside (CH) Overlay Zone inspired by Salt Lake County’s Foothills and Canyons Overlay Zone (FCOZ). 

The purpose of the CH zone is to balance the need for development with the need to protect sensitive lands in the foothills and preserve the views from the valley. The CH zone would require all new development to meet certain additional standards.

The CH zone requirements would not apply to the following:

• lots created before the ordinance is approved,
• parcels of land developed before the ordinance is approved, and
• additions to existing one-family dwellings and the construction of accessory structures built after the ordinance is approved, as long as such additions or structures don’t lie outside the limits of disturbance (a protected area of a lot).

If a property owner of a lot or parcel, which lot or parcel is exempted from the CH zone requirements wants to remodel or expand an existing home, they may do so without compliance with the CH zone requirements. 

MORE DETAILED MAPS (PDF files) added 5-11-2020:

• Rock Canyon, Oak Hills area
• Canyon Road, Foothill Drive area
• Foothill Drive area
• Oak Hills area
• Provost area
• Provost South area

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING ON THURSDAY, MAY 7 FROM 7:00-8:30 PM TO DISCUSS THE ZONE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY ASK AFTER READING THIS INFORMATION.

Here is the presentation made at the Planning Commission meeting on April 1, 2020:

Status

On April 1, 2020, the Provo City Planning Commission recommended approval (with conditions) of the proposed application. The application was considered by the Provo City Council on April 14, 2020 and April 21, 2020. The Provo City Council sent this application back to the Provo City Planning Commission for a public hearing due to a noticing error. A public hearing for this item will be held at the May 13, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. The City Council held a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 7 to discuss the zone and answer questions from residents.The video below is from that Town Hall.

Project Contacts

Planner - Brandon Larsen: (801) 852-6408 or jblarsen@provo.org

Resources

• Updated proposed zone map
• April 1 Planning Commission Meeting
• April 14 City Council Work Meeting
• April 14 City Council Meeting
• April 21 City Council  Work Meeting
• Staff Report (for zone creation)
• Staff Report (for application of zone)
• Planning Commission Report of Action (for zone creation)
• Planning Commission Report of Action (for application of zone)
• Full text of the proposed CH Zone
• Provo City Zoning Map
• Provo City Code
• Key Land Use Policies - listed by area and neighborhood (see policies that guide the land use for particular areas of the city)

Click on TAKE THE SURVEY to be able to ask questions in advance of the Town Hall and to leave your comments to be shared with the Provo City Council. 

If you prefer not to add your comments here, you may send an email to all seven Councilors at council@provo.org.