Hillcrest 2, 3, 6 wards lawn limit amendment
Request to raise the maximum lawn area for churches, schools and other institutional uses from 20% to 33% of landscaped area, which the church says would encourage it to undertake water-saving landscape projects at meetinghouses. On the Planning Commission's Oct. 7 agenda; outcome not yet published.
- Where it stands
- In review
- Type
- Code change
- Applicant
- Eric Lyman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Every hearing and vote
October 7, 2026 · Planning Commission
Hillcrest 2, 3, 6 wards: more lawn for institutional uses (Section 17.21.020)
Pending
Eric Lyman, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked to raise the maximum lawn for institutional uses such as churches and schools from 20% to 33% of total landscaped area, while multifamily, commercial and industrial sites stay at 20%. The church says local leaders found 20% too little for youth activities and gatherings, and that the cap discourages it from starting water-saving landscape projects at meetinghouses. Staff asked the commission to weigh what changed conditions justify it, why 33%, existing versus proposed turf and expected water savings, and why it should apply to all institutional uses.
- Applicant: Eric Lyman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Hillcrest 2, 3, 6 wards)
- Lawn cap for institutional uses: 20% → 33% of landscaped area