MAPLETON -- Homeowners along two wide streets in Mapleton may find doctors, lawyers, even a store moving in next door.
That will be allowed under a neighborhood commercial ordinance change approved Tuesday that seeks to give Mapleton more of a commercial base. The ordinance applies to Main Street to 1700 North and to Maple Street, both residential thoroughfares.Located just south of Springville in Utah County, Mapleton is tucked away from main highways and snuggled up against Maple Mountain. It has few businesses, which generate the sales tax revenues cities need to operate.
"The intent of the ordinance is that commercial structures resemble homes," said Mayor Richard Young as the City Council went over the ordinance amendment page by page before approving it.
"They need to blend into the neighborhood," said Councilwoman Charlee Hanna. "You don't want to impose on the neighborhood with an ugly structure. It's not fair."
While the ordinance allows property owners on those two streets to apply for a zone change and permit to allow commercial use of their property, it also mandates that the properties look residential. That means that standing homes may be remodeled for business use if they keep their homey appearance and that new commercial structures are built to look like houses.
"Maple Street was never designed as a residential street," Hanna said, referring to its width.
"I can't think of a more appropriate street for this," said Young.
"We need to think how we're going to grow up. This is a good place to start," Hanna said. "A lot of businesses can go in old homes and it's easy to make them look like they belong. It wouldn't be intrusive and would (benefit) neighbors."
The ordinance bans drive-through service windows and requires planter strips along the street to either blend in with present strips or measure six feet wide if no planter strips are nearby. Sidewalks are also required. Signs must meet the regular city code.