The Enoch City Planning Commission is refining proposed ordinances to establish temporary workforce housing within the city's Research/Industrial Zone, following a public hearing held on August 25, 2026. The move aims to provide affordable and flexible housing options for employees working on-site, a development prompted by local business needs.
Origins of Workforce Housing Need
The push for new housing regulations began following a request from local business owner Matt Phillips. As reported by the Enoch City Planning Commission in its August 21, 2026, meeting documents, Phillips operates an asphalt restoration, sealcoating, and line striping business located on a two-acre parcel on 700 East near the local dog park. Phillips, who relocated his 14-year-old business from Cedar City after outgrowing his previous location, noted that the need for workforce housing arose organically when seasonal employees asked to park their personal RVs on the property.
To accommodate these requests, Phillips has already installed infrastructure on the property, including a septic system permitted through the health department, a water share surrendered to the city, and electrical pedestals installed through Rocky Mountain Power. While Phillips' employees primarily work from May through October, the business has operated nearly year-round during favorable weather conditions. Phillips stated during the August 21, 2026, meeting that his intent is to operate in full legal compliance, even though his specific situation may not reflect every future scenario under the proposed ordinance.
Proposed Ordinance Components
The proposed legislative changes involve three primary components: amending Section 12.200.206 to add a definition for "temporary workforce housing"; amending Section 12.1900.1902 to add temporary workforce housing as a conditional use in the Research-Industrial Zone; and creating a new Section 12.1900.1911 to establish specific housing standards.
During the August 25, 2026, meeting, the commission held a public hearing to discuss these amendments. City Manager Ryan Robinson explained that while the request originated from a specific property, any resulting code amendment would apply zone-wide to all properties within the Research-Industrial Zone. The commission discussed the necessity of the amendment to ensure that affordable and flexible housing options are available to employees working on-site within the industrial zone.
Refining Ordinance Language
Commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the specific language of the proposed ordinance to ensure clarity and enforceability. Commissioner Delaine Finlay raised concerns regarding the definition of Temporary Workforce Housing, specifically a clause describing occupancy as being "exclusively by employees of the landowner." She questioned whether the language should instead refer to the "business owner" to account for instances where land may be leased.
City Manager Robinson agreed with the suggestion and confirmed that the language would be updated to reflect "business owner" rather than "landowner" in both Section 12.1900.1911 and other relevant sections. Additionally, the commission addressed concerns regarding whether the ordinance would restrict spouses or children of employees from residing in the units. Robinson noted that the city likely could not restrict family members from accompanying employees.
Occupancy and Enforcement
The commission also addressed the requirements for maintaining occupancy within the units. Commissioner Finlay expressed concern over language stating that the "property owner shall maintain an active number of employees residing in the units," noting it was unclear if units would need to be occupied year-round for seasonal work.
To resolve this, the commission agreed to change the language to require that units be maintained for active employees, removing the phrase "an active number of" to ensure the intent is simply that occupants must be active employees. This change is intended to prevent landowners or business owners from renting units to individuals who do not work for them. City Manager Robinson clarified that the purpose statement in the ordinance serves to articulate the rationale for the amendment rather than to impose a testable standard, noting that the city is not committing itself to any specific outcome.
Next Steps for Enoch City
The Enoch City Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for September 22, 2026, to further consider amending the city code to allow for water rights from Basin 71 and to review permitted uses. The commission is also set to meet on September 8, 2026, to consider amending ordinances related to water and sewage requirements, specifically to require that any utility connection be located within city limits.
