With more than 85 different zones in Provo’s zoning code book, with some not even being used, the municipal council was told Tuesday it is time to simplify.

Aaron Ardmore, planning supervisor, explained what planners and others in Development Services must go through to help one developer.

Ardmore said a person gets the city code book, then they have to find the standard land uses in another book before jumping back to the code book. They then review the laws that go with the applicable land use, go back to the zoning codes for more requirements and then back out to search in another location for the building designs and heights.

It’s not over yet. Then, like the Gateway Zone that Ardmore used as an example, the planner has to go to the road requirements and then jump to another book for parking codes. Staff must then look at trash placement, in another book, as well as landscaping.

Staff must check general plan requirements to see if the developer’s site plan accomplishes the long-term plans of the code. All of this must be accomplished by a number of staff. Ardmore hoped he was getting the idea across — that for each development, the process is tedious.

“This is the standard work of a planner in Provo,” Ardmore said. “This is why we need to clarify.”

The scope of the work and the code are conflicting because of how many have had their hands on it, he added. There are over 60 residential zones with 38 PRO zones, specifically designed for one development, and many are rarely used.

Ardmore and his staff suggested that a consultant be hired to clean up and clarify zones and to prepare a better way for staff to work with the public in getting developments through the process.

The staff could take the first steps in cleaning up the zoning codes to save the taxpayers money. According to Bill Peperone, community services director, it would cost between $200,000 and $400,000 for a consultant.

High interest rates are giving the staff some cool down time, as they look ahead to major projects like the renovation and remodel of the Provo LDS Temple, Peperone said. Now is a good time for the staff to do as much as they can before a consultant is hired.

The consultant’s fees could come from the Legacy Fund, which has about $365,000, and some from the general fund, which is at the highest amount allowed by the legislature.

There are three decisions that the council could make, according to Ardmore.

• Are we ok with the scope of work as written? An outside consultant could clean up and modernize all the zoning codes.
• Go forward with the staff first and then get a consultant.
• Get the funding source and then turn in the report to the council.

Councilmember George Handley thought it would make sense to give it all to a consultant before adding that it would be better if staff could save the around-$200,000.

“This is very daunting,” Councilmember Bill Fillmore said. “The sheer scope is a magnificent effort.”

If staff had to wait to find funding it would not be put on the budget until next fiscal year, 2025, and would take beyond 2027 to complete. The hope is to get started sometime this year.

The council asked that the staff come back with a defined proposal and how staff could be used to save money. They will bring that report back sometime in October.