Planning commission recommends small text change to moderate‑income housing element to match Utah code

The Eastern Summit County Planning Commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to the County Council on a single textual change to strategy B of the county’s moderate‑income housing element.

Jennifer, a county planner, told commissioners the county submitted the plan to the state and ‘‘we did receive a letter saying that we are in compliance, and we are eligible for funding. However, they called out a number of strategies ... that needed to be fixed because they are asking that the strategies that are adopted are the same exact strategies that are in the Utah code.’’ She said the requested edit requires that the strategy language ‘‘match word for word’’ with state code and that the commission’s change reduces strategy B to a single sentence that states the county may rezone ‘‘for densities necessary to facilitate the production of moderate income housing.’’

Jennifer emphasized the amendment does not alter any implementation measures. ‘‘We haven’t made any changes to any of the implementation measures under that strategy,’’ she said, adding that rezones would be evaluated in light of implementation measures such as transportation, infrastructure and water resources.

Chair (speaker 1) opened the public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the staff findings and forward the recommendation to the County Council; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with ayes recorded and no opposition noted.

Staff said Jeff Jones is preparing a report to the state that must be submitted by August 1 to document the changes and maintain funding eligibility.

Next steps: the County Council will consider the amendment at its scheduled hearing (date of the council hearing was not specified in the transcript).