Alpine residents who want a say in how a vacant 1.8-acre parcel on Healey Boulevard could be developed, or whether freestanding backyard dwelling units become legal citywide, have until Tuesday, August 4, to show up and speak.

The Alpine City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing that evening at 6 p.m. at Alpine City Hall, 20 North Main St., to take comment on three land-use items that could change what gets built on residential lots across town.

Healey Boulevard development agreement

The commission will review a proposed development agreement governing parcel #11:054:0449 on Healey Boulevard in the Healey Heights neighborhood, near Healey Park and Smooth Canyon Park. Utah County land records show the 1.838-acre lot is vacant, carries a 2026 assessed market value of $934,400, and has been owned since at least 2014, according to online county records, by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The public hearing notice, signed Wednesday, July 23, by Planning Commission Chair Alan MacDonald, does not name a developer or describe what type of project is proposed.

Detached accessory dwelling units

The second item is a proposed ordinance that would allow detached accessory dwelling units, or DADUs, as a new permitted use. Alpine has long allowed interior ADUs attached to a home, but freestanding backyard structures would be new.

The issue surfaced publicly at the Tuesday, January 27, City Council meeting, when City Administrator Shane Sorensen raised the prospect of a state bill that could require cities to permit detached ADUs. Mayor Carla Merrill voiced concern, noting Alpine's large lots could accommodate many units and that expanding water and sewer capacity would be expensive. Engineer John Schiess said a handful of new ADUs likely wouldn't strain infrastructure, but widespread adoption would require reevaluating capacity.

Specific standards for the proposed DADU ordinance, such as size limits, setbacks, or owner-occupancy requirements, have not yet been posted.

Code and subdivision amendments

The third item is a package of text amendments to Alpine's zoning and subdivision codes, covering home-occupation business license permits, accessory building setbacks, pool-facility definitions, and new terms in Chapter 3 of the zoning code.

How to participate

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Alpine City Hall, 20 North Main St. Supporting documents will be posted at the city's official website, alpineut.gov, before the meeting. Residents can also contact the City Recorder at 801-756-6347, extension 3.