LAPEL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, July 9, 2026

CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

IN ATTENDANCE: Matt Wood, President, Andrea Baldwin, Vice President, Justin Mayes, Alicia West, Kristi Worthman, Dan Plumlee, Jenny Reske, Town Manager, Marcellus Johnson, Planning Administrator and William Cain, Legal Counsel

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

None

AGENDA CONSIDERATIONS

Motion to add a consideration for campers and RV's to the agenda made by Andrea Baldwin, 2^nd by Wood. All in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DISCUSSION OF CONSIDERATIONS

Agenda Considerations: A request was made to add "living in mobile campers, motor homes, temporary usage" to the agenda for discussion. The motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.

RV Trailer Policy: The Commission discussed current town ordinances regarding recreational vehicles (RVs), campers, and trailers. The Planner noted that current regulations in the agricultural district primarily address RV parks, with no specific language prohibiting permanent living in an RV on personal property. For residential districts, more restrictions on RV parking exist. It was suggested that permanent RV living might require a use classification or a special use permit.

Resident Joey Bodenhorn (3982 South State Road 13) addressed the Commission regarding his temporary living situation in a 45-foot toy hauler on his property while his storm-damaged home is rebuilt. He indicated plans to connect to septic and electrical utilities. Legal analysis suggested that, as the use is not expressly allowed in current ordinances, it would typically be prohibited and should be directed to the Board of  Zoning Appeals (BZA) for consideration as a temporary deviation or special use permit.

The Planner clarified that applying for a permit pauses any code enforcement action. The Commission acknowledged the need to develop clearer guidelines for such situations within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) given recent repeated occurrences.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing - Housing Standards (House Enrolled Act 1001 Compliance):

The Planner introduced a public hearing to comply with House Enrolled Act 1001 , which requires communities to discuss amendments to housing development ordinances to increase housing production. The act does not mandate specific changes but requires discussion across nine factors.

ITEM 1: Allowing High-Density Development in Single-Family Districts.

Commission discussion focused on potentially allowing duplexes, triplexes, or more units in RI , R2, and R3 residential districts while maintaining neighborhood character. It was noted that duplexes are not currently explicitly permitted in R3 (multi-family) zones.

The possibility of creating an overlay district for Main Street to guide specific architectural and use standards for future development, including mixed-use townhomes, was also discussed.

The public hearing for this topic was opened, and no public comments were received.

Motion made by Wood to accept duplexes in all residential districts (RI , R2, R3) and to initiate the process of creating an overlay district for Main Street, 2^nd by Mayes. All in favor.

ITEM 2: Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), ManufacturedlModuIar Housing, and Other Housing Types.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Currently, ADUs are not permitted. The state's minimum definition of an ADU was reviewed. The Commission expressed interest in allowing ADUs, particularly for converting existing structures or for mother-in-law quarters, but emphasized the need for clear requirements to prevent issues like shortterm rentals.

The public hearing for this topic was opened, and no public comments were received.

MOTION made by Baldwin to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in RI , R2, and Agricultural (A) districts, pending further discussion on specific requirements, and to direct staff to draft appropriate language, 2^nd by Wood. All in favor.

Manufactured/ModuIar Homes: Discussion revolved around recent state legislative changes that have merged the definitions of manufactured and mobile homes, making differentiation challenging in zoning. Current ordinances presented conflicting allowances for these homes across RI, R2, R3, and Agricultural (A) districts. The Commission discussed setting specific standards for these homes, noting the diversity in quality among them.

Manufactured Home Parks: A brief discussion was held on manufactured home parks, which are typically regulated differently as they involve multiple units on a single parcel. Due to complexities, the Commission opted to defer further discussion on manufactured home parks to a later meeting for additional research and clarification.

The public hearing for this topic was opened, and no public comments were received.

MOTION made by Wood to classify individual modular and manufactured homes (both types) as not allowed in R3, allowed in R2 and Agricultural (A) districts, and a special use in RI , following review of standards; and to continue the discussion regarding mobile home parks to a future meeting, 2^nd by Mayes. All in favor.

Motion made by Wood to continue the public hearing on Housing Standards to the next meeting on August 13^th , 2^nd by Mayes. All in favor.

PLAN COMMISSION DISCUSSION

ITEM 2: Planning Administrator Report:

Plat 20264, involving the combination of two lots into a single lot, was administratively approved as an exempt subdivision under recent changes. No updates were reported for BZA cases, other development, or administrative matters.

CODE ENFORCEMENT CASE UPDATES:

No new significant updates were reported. Three or four new cases are in their initial stages and have not yet incurred fines.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion made by Wood to adjourn the meeting, 2^nd by Baldwin. All in favor.

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