Utah has an escalating affordable housing problem. This problem cannot go unnoticed. Natalie Gochnour, Director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, stated, “housing is one of the most serious problems our state faces right now.” 

This housing crisis has been created through a combination of the pandemic, a shortage of homes and slow income growth. In fact, an April Housing Report, released by the Utah Association of Realtors, shows that housing prices were up 26.8 percent since last year. As a result, it has become common to encounter members of the community who are faced with financial hardships from allocating large portions of their income to paying for housing. 

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute produced an “Informed Decisions” document titled “Housing Affordability: What Are Best Practices and Why Are They Important?” In this study, it was determined that “the best chance to shrink the shortage and improve affordability depends on local policies and practices.” Specifically, “practices targeted at redevelopment agencies (RDAs), transit-oriented developments (TODs), accessory dwelling units (ADUs), preservation of existing affordable units, and changes in land use” were identified as the most beneficial. 

In North Salt Lake a proposal for the annexation of River Ranch was discussed as a solution to the housing crisis in the city. This project would attempt to add housing, starting at $350,000, that is affordable for gainfully employed individuals who often need two incomes to qualify for a mortgage. 

Steve McCutchen, who presented this proposal to North Salt Lake’s City Council, said that “River Ranch was an opportunity to provide workforce affordable housing in proximity to the Wasatch Front’s five largest employment centers and accessibility to public transit.”

This development project would include 1,396 units that range from single-family homes to townhouses. Additionally, this development would leave 37.34 acres of open space, to be utilized for parks, trails, clubhouses and pools. Space for a new charter school, which could enroll up to 1,000 students, is also included in the River Ranch project.  

The proposed River Ranch development was met with mixed responses from City Council Members. 

“This was a good project for the City as it was well-designed and would help with the housing crisis,” Mayor Len Arave said, “This development would help the newer businesses along Redwood Road.”

City Council member Ryan Mumford said he “was very concerned about any annexation proposal.” This concern stems from the proposal not moving the county line causing the City to fall into two different counties. This could create problems during elections. 

Additional concerns were raised about the creation of the proposed charter school, as it would create a division of North Salt Lake’s children between schools and school districts. “To further divide the kids between Granite School District in Salt Lake County and the Davis School District in Davis County would only make things worse,” City Council member Natalie Gordon said. She also expressed concern about the school saying that “the K-8 charter school was not an adequate solution to the overcrowding of schools in the City.”

This issue will be discussed further by the City Council before a decision is reached.