Summit County officials have introduced three strategic proposals aimed at expanding affordable housing options to support a workforce of approximately 21,000 people who currently commute into the county daily. The initiatives, proposed by Summit County Housing Authority Vice Chair Rich Sonntag, seek to address scarcity caused by high construction costs and land preservation efforts that have limited available development sites.
Strategies for Open Space Land
The proposed strategies focus on three distinct areas: repurposing portions of preserved lands, utilizing existing infill sites, and increasing incentives for private residential development. According to Rich Sonntag, a commissioner and vice chair for the Summit County Housing Authority, the current market has failed to provide sufficient housing due to high property and construction costs, as well as a lack of available land.
One major proposal involves exploring whether future public open space acquisitions could include opportunities for workforce housing. Sonntag noted that many public acquisitions involve the bargain sale of ranches, where a conservation easement is typically imposed on the entire property to prevent development. He suggested that excluding ranch compounds—areas often closest to public services and possessing the least conservation value—from these easements could allow for clustered, affordable housing through landowner donations or nominal sales to the housing authority.
Under this plan, these specific areas could be designated as a housing overlay zone. This designation would allow for specific densities, development standards, and affordability requirements tailored to the needs of the local workforce.
Infill and Public Land Use
A second strategy involves identifying infill sites that are most suitable for affordable and attainable housing. The housing authority is currently using county GIS resources to locate housing-appropriate parcels under public ownership, including land held by the state, the county, and local school districts.
By working with these public entities to re-zone parcels for mixed-use development, the housing authority hopes to act as a catalyst for affordable housing projects. This could include partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to achieve cost-effective construction. Sonntag suggested that school districts could develop housing specifically for their employees, and fire districts could build homes for firefighters.
Additionally, the proposal suggests making it easier to build workforce or congregate housing on properties already owned by charitable or public entities. This includes properties owned by local organizations such as the Summit County Clubhouse, Peace House, or the Children’s Justice Center, which may currently lack the appropriate zoning for such uses.
Incentivizing Private ADUs
The third proposal focuses on recruiting the public through incentives for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These units already serve as a mechanism for encouraging private rental housing that is often more affordable than traditional single-family or multifamily homes.
To increase affordability for families or those sharing costs with roommates, the proposal suggests increasing the permitted size of ADUs from 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet on properties of at least one acre. This strategy is viewed as particularly promising for Eastern Summit County, where small-lot or multifamily zoning is currently unavailable.
Sonntag warned that failing to implement these strategies could lead to "local gridlock" as the expansion of local resorts increases the number of residents, guests, and commuters on the roads simultaneously.
Workforce and Commuter Trends
The workforce needing these housing solutions includes a significant number of lower-paid hospitality and service workers, as well as employees for local governments, sheriff and police departments, and school districts. Currently, approximately 21,000 people commute into Summit County every day from outside the county to fill these roles.
While some workers may choose to live in more vibrant social areas like Sugarhouse, many would prefer to avoid the time and expense of commuting if local, affordable housing were available. The scarcity of land is compounded by the electorate's willingness to approve open space bond issues, which have supported the preservation of large portions of undeveloped-but-developable property.
Sonntag noted that while many residents prefer being buffered by preserved open space and agricultural lands, the political reality is that these preserved properties cannot be repurposed without risking civil unrest. This necessitates finding creative solutions within the existing land-use framework to meet housing needs.
Future Housing Outlook
The Summit County Housing Authority continues to work on developing strategies to address both current and future housing needs. These efforts are part of a broader effort to manage the county's growth and ensure that essential workers can live within the community they serve.
While the current proposals are based on the personal thoughts of Commissioner Sonntag and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Housing Authority as a whole, they represent a significant direction in the county's ongoing discussion regarding housing accessibility and land management.
Understanding Housing Needs
The complexity of these issues is underscored by the different ways housing can be defined and regulated. Understanding the role of Area Median Income (AMI) and rent limits is essential to understanding how affordable housing programs function in the region.
By utilizing public and private resources, the county aims to create a sustainable housing ecosystem that accommodates the diverse needs of its population, from service workers to public safety officials.
