Manti proposes new housing ordinances to balance growth and city character

MANTI—The Manti City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 4, was the culmination of more than a year of research by both the Planning Commission and the City Council on how to meet state requirements for more affordable housing while preserving the character of Manti.

Under consideration are changes to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and the Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinances.

McKay Muhlestein, the new Manti City planner, presented the existing ADU ordinance and the proposed changes.

The biggest change is allowing two-story ADUs. There was considerable discussion by Councilman A.J. Mower, Mayor Mary Wintch and Councilwoman Mary Pipes about permitting existing structures (such as barns) to be converted into living spaces up to 30 feet tall. However, the ordinance would limit new-build ADUs to 20 feet in height.

Mower and Wintch expressed concerns about privacy and the ADU becoming an oversized structure. Pipes noted that very few structures in Manti are already built to 30 feet and would also qualify for conversion, so the change would not alter the look of the city.

Continuing the discussion on privacy, Muhlestein explained that under the proposed ordinance changes, a balcony on an ADU facing residential property could be no more than five feet wide and would require a privacy railing. Similarly, second-story windows facing residential property would need privacy film.

During the public-comment period, one resident — who had requested expanded ADU regulations a year earlier — pointed out that the setbacks for ADU buildings are the same as for primary residences.

On regular residences, “we don’t require their balconies to be limited to five feet wide with a privacy railing (which defeats the whole purpose of a balcony), nor do we require privacy film on the windows,” he said. “So why are we making ADUs more restrictive?”

He stressed that the new rules unnecessarily complicate what people can do and which rules apply, and could make it difficult for homeowners converting part of their primary residence into an ADU.

Continuing the discussion, council members addressed the impact that additional ADU construction would have on Manti’s already limited sewer, water and electrical capacity.

The other ordinance discussed was the Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance. Residents have complained to the city council that overcrowded STRs were making neighborhood life miserable.

Homes were routinely packed with 30 to 50 people for several days at a time, creating parking shortages, excessive noise, violations of animal leash laws and numerous other disturbances. The council was told one property was responsible for the majority of complaints.

Although the problem property has been sold and is now a single-family residence, it served as a warning of potential future issues.

Under consideration is a change to the STR ordinance limiting STRs to one every 300 feet so that no single block becomes overrun.

While stricter enforcement of noise ordinances could help, council members agreed the core problem is the sheer number of occupants rather than quiet-hour violations alone.

Mayor Wintch suggested limiting STRs to five bedrooms; others felt placing a cap on the number of guests would be more practical.
A public hearing on the ADU and STR ordinances, along with other housing-related issues, is scheduled for April 1.

The council also learned that Jason Brown, city manager, and Cory Hatch, public works director, had developed more than 20 water-saving recommendations.

Rather than following the Manti Irrigation Water Company’s customary watering schedule, the city has chosen to educate residents on how to conserve one of its scarcest resources. Residents can expect to see the new guidelines in their next utility bill.

In another upgrade, Manti City Council meetings are now streamed live, allowing residents to watch or listen from home. Many have already expressed gratitude for the convenience.

The link is available on the city’s Facebook page (it has not yet been added to the official city website). Please note that public comments are not possible through the live stream; residents must still attend in person to be heard.