Centerville is getting ready to update its roadmap for the future. Proposed updates to Centerville’s General Plan represent a significant shift in how the city intends to manage its future growth while preserving its identity. On April 7, Community Development Director Mike Eggett presented the City Council with a draft that has been in the works for two years. This document serves as a long-term roadmap, balancing state mandates for affordable housing with the local desire to maintain a small-town atmosphere. The draft is the result of extensive public outreach, including resident surveys and open houses intended to capture the community’s vision, Eggett said.

A major highlight of the proposal is a pivot in housing strategy. 

The city is considering moving away from “First Home Investment Zones,” which required high-density developments of at least 30 units per acre on large plots of land. Instead, the new plan favors accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. These include internal basement apartments or detached backyard cottages. By reducing regulations on ADUs, the city aims to provide more diverse housing options that integrate into existing neighborhoods without the visual impact of large apartment complexes.

The plan also identifies the west side of Centerville as a key area for infrastructure investment. Proposed improvements to roads and utilities are designed to support multi-family housing and a potential mixed-use center near a future FrontRunner station. To encourage home ownership, the city is exploring the creation of specific zones on the west side where a majority of units would be designated as affordable. The city may also use redevelopment funds to subsidize housing for moderate-income residents, ensuring that young families and essential workers can afford to live in the community.

Community feedback has played a vital role in shaping these discussions, though residents remain divided on certain issues, Eggett said. 

During public hearings, many residents emphasized the importance of protecting the city’s traditional character. Some expressed a strong desire to keep the east side primarily for single-family homes and to preserve the hillside from any development. However, other community members argued that evolution is necessary for the city to stay healthy. 

“Communities that fail to evolve and adapt often suffer decline,” resident Tyson Creamer said at one of the public hearings. 

Another resident, Brita Johnson, shared that she is “supportive of townhomes and the community that they build,” adding that growth is inevitable and must be managed responsibly.

Beyond housing and transportation, the General Plan addresses several quality-of-life concerns. For example, the city’s cemetery capacity is critically limited, which has prompted a so far unfruitful search for additional land. Residents have also expressed a desire for expanded dining, lodging and entertainment options to boost the local economy. 

To ensure these goals are met, the plan introduces a formal monitoring process. The city intends to track building permits, demographic shifts, and housing affordability every year to determine if the strategies are working or if they need to be adjusted.

The city council has not yet taken a final vote on the plan, as several members want to further study how to balance growth with the city’s  historic “quaint and charming” aesthetic. 

Resident Becki Wright encouraged the council to adopt an updated plan soon, stating that without it, “the city lacks proper guidance for development decisions.” 

The council will continue to hold work sessions and public discussions to refine the document before it is officially adopted as the city’s new governing roadmap.