Cottonwood Heights homeowners could soon build wider driveways and park on gravel under a code change headed to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The commission will also hear a request from Sarah Shepherd to run a personal training business, Longevity Pilates & Strength, out of her basement at 3295 E. Alta Hills Dr. Both items are set for public hearings during the 6 p.m. business session at City Hall, 2277 E. Bengal Blvd., according to the Nov. 4 meeting packet.
Residents who cannot attend in person can watch on the city's YouTube channel, but verbal comments are accepted only at the in-person session.
Wider driveways, gravel parking
The city-initiated amendment, ZTA-26-005, would raise the maximum single-family driveway approach width from 25 feet to 30 feet, measured at the property line. The 10-foot minimum would stay the same.
Staff said the proposal came after reviewing driveway standards in neighboring cities in response to resident concerns about parking and access. The amendment would also let homeowners with enough street frontage add a second driveway approach. Circular driveways could keep two approaches.
A separate piece of the same amendment would allow gravel parking areas on single-family lots. Gravel spots would be limited to side and rear yards behind the home's front wall. Corner lots would need a 20-foot setback from the side-street right-of-way. Gravel areas would not count toward a home's required off-street parking.
Homeowners would need to grade, compact and contain the gravel to prevent migration, weeds, dust and erosion.
Staff recommends the commission forward the amendment to the City Council for approval.
Home pilates studio
Shepherd, who owns the 0.31-acre property with Simon Shepherd, wants to offer strength training and pilates sessions using dumbbells, resistance bands, blocks, sliders and balls. Clients would park in the existing driveway, walk to the back of the house and enter through a basement door.
The business would be owner-operated with no employees. Shepherd anticipates up to three clients per day, with no more than two at a time. Sessions would run Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No exterior signage, outdoor activity or structural changes are proposed.
City staff recommends approval with nine conditions. Among them: Shepherd must hold a valid city business license, the permit could be revoked for noncompliance, and any expansion of hours, client numbers or services would require additional city review.
The property sits in the R-1-8 single-family residential zone, where a home occupation with clients requires a conditional use permit. Staff found the proposed use would remain secondary to the home's residential character.
How to weigh in
Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] by noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, to be distributed to commissioners before the meeting. Comments received after that deadline will be shared after the session.
The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is Dec. 2.
