Low-income housing gets final approval of Nibley Planning and Zoning

By Ranae Bangerter

March 10, 2006 | NIBLEY -- A subdivision, which was pre-approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission along with the City Council over a week ago, got final approval from the commission on Wednesday night. The subdivision, a project hosted by the Neighborhood Non-profit Housing Corporation, provides a way for low-income families to build and own their own homes. Homes are built by the owners and neighborhood members.

Commissioners discussed the possibility of meandering walkways in the subdivision, but the chairwoman of the neighborhood housing group, Kim Datwyler, did not approve. Datwyler was concerned about how the families would be able to afford the homes and pay for maintenance of the trails. She said some of her buyers were already struggling with coming up with the money for the home.

"Who will maintain them, families?" said Datwyler. She said she thought the families would not wish to have the meandering walkways.

After further discussion the issue of the trails was dismissed. "I'm not convinced this is not that big of a deal," Commissioner Aaron Bliesner said about the trails.

The commission approved the subdivision with a unanimous vote and the proposal will now be sent to the city council for final approval.

Other items in the meeting included the approval of home businesses, dog kennels, and other permits.

Brian Anderson, furniture shop owner, came to the meeting to obtain conditional use permit for his home business along 100 West. He and others who came to the meeting, were asked many repetitive yet mandatory questions. The mandatory questions, "will it have a light up sign, will it contain an accessory building, is there a noise issue, and is there adequate off street parking for customers?" and others will be formatted into a document in the next planning and zoning meeting to save time.

"I don't exhaust anything to the exterior," Anderson said about his business. "I don't have exterior storage of inventory, [and] I do have adequate off-street parking."

The commission reviewed their ordinances and asked Anderson what his plans for his business were. Anderson said he would like to someday hire an additional employee, and build an accessory shed for his shop that would include a sign on the exterior.

Commissioner Larry Jacobsen said under the ordinance the employee must live in the home and Anderson agreed the employee would. Also under the ordinance the shop must be attached to the home. Anderson did not agree with the ordinance and the commissioners gave him an option; if Anderson would like to someday build the accessory shed, he would have to suggest a new ordinance, through the form of a letter, for the commission to approve.

Audra Anderson came to receive approval for the setbacks of her home, located at 2835 South 800 West. The setback would be approximately 25 feet. She would like to build an attached garage onto her house or rebuild her house altogether. The commission approved the setbacks and location of the residence.

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