TODAY, WE COVER…

• This week’s Dakota Pacific-related work session.
  
• University of Utah Work/Life Balance Survey
  
• Summit County Mental Health Survey
  

DPRE MEETING RECAP 

On Wednesday, Council continued discussion regarding the Dakota Pacific Project in terms of Inclusionary Housing review and how it relates to the current proposal.

Before discussion begins there are some definitions to keep in mind. The first being Area Median Income (AMI). In simple terms, AMI is the median family income in a given region. The Summit County AMI for a family of four (4) is estimated at $148,600. 

When we look at AMI growth since 2017, there has been a 43.7% increase in AMI, which means that the median family income in Summit County has grown from $98,000 to $148,600 in the last six years (published annually so 2024 hasn’t been recorded).

The next term is Median Household Income which is income of households generated in the past 12 months, including the income of the householder and all other individuals 15 years old and over in the household, whether they are related to the householder or not. Because many households consist of only one person, median household income is usually less than median family income. The Summit County Median Household Income is estimated at $131,916.

An important term used often in these discussions is Affordable Unit Equivalents (AUEs). An “AUE” is defined as a “two (2) bedroom unit with nine hundred (900) square feet of net livable space, measured exterior wall to exterior wall”. Multiple smaller units together may constitute one AUE, or fewer larger units, according to the Snyderville Basin Development Code. 

For new commercial development, or expansion of existing commercial development, DPRE is required to develop or ensure the development of affordable housing to meet twenty percent (20%) of the employee housing demand generated by the new development. 

The proposed Plan C that Dakota Pacific is proposing includes 510 market rate units and 217 affordable units, totaling up to 727 units. There are an additional 20 units from the 510 Mark Rate Units that would be deed restricted “attainable” between 100%-120% AMI. 

There are different types of units that are being proposed in Plan C for affordable housing. The current plan proposes:

•     9 Studio units
  
•     87 1 bedroom units
  
•     98 2 bedroom units
  
•     17 3 bedroom units
  
•     6 4 bedroom units
  

Commercial Development in the current proposed plan includes:

•     26,000 SQ/FT of Commercial and Retail space
  
•     85,000 SQ/FT of low intensity, including, but not limited to, utilities, education, medical offices, light industry, and research parks
  
•     150,000/SQ/FT of medium intensity, including, but not limited to, banking and professional services
  
•     5,000 SQ/FT of restaurant/bar 
  

Based on calculations this area’s workforce will have an opportunity of offering housing to about 163 employees.

Senior housing is being proposed but is not going to be considered under “affordable housing” as it is intended for market rate housing, deed restricted by age but not by income. 

According to the Summit County Economic Development Office there is an existing housing unit deficit that Plan C aims to address. There is a projected need for about 3,928 – 5,523 total units of housing. And In Summit County there is an existing need for housing with:

•     Surplus/Deficit @60% AMI -142 Units 
  
•     Surplus/Deficit @50% AMI -484 Units 
  
•     Surplus/Deficit @30% AMI -725 Units 
  

Based on Wednesday’s presentations, Council review the proposal and came to a general consensus of changes they were looking for in the current Plan C, which they shared in  Thursday’s meeting. It includes:

• A total of 500 housing units
  
• Half of those units to be deed-restricted affordable housing.
  
  • Out of the 250 affordable units, 1/3 would be dedicated to 40% AMI or below
    
  • 1/3 would be 60% or below AMI
    
  • And 1/3 would be 80% or below AMI
    
  
  
• Of the 250 market-rate housing units, 1/3  would be deed restricted for seniors and 20 units would continue to be available at 120% or below AMI.
  

Additional stipulations included no nightly rentals or fractional ownership allowed within the project, the same commerical density already existing in Plan C, a private-public partnership for a parking structure to serve residents of the development and commuters utilizing the Kimball Junction Transit Center, a requirement for a Continuing Care Retirement Community, and associated medical facilites.

Council also requested a phased approach to the project tied to a UDOT fix of SR 224.

1/3 of the project would be allowed to begin, pending funding for 224 being granted and an HTRZ correction from the state legislature. This deal would be irrevocable, meaning if funding gets pulled, then the construction would need to stop. This first third of the project would also need to include affordable housing.

The remaining 2/3 of the project would proceed once the 224 project is completed.

Dakota Pacific representatives expressed concern related to Council’s wishes related to the structure of the phasing, the economic viability, and the timeline to update their proposal before the State Legislative session ends.

As a result, the public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 at Ecker Hill Middle School has been postponed to a later date. The public meeting scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on February 15 has tentatively moved from Ecker Hill Middle School to the Richins Building at Kimball Junction.

At this time, additional public meetings to negotiate changes will likely be added to the schedule. For the most up to date meeting schedule, including recording of past meetings, visit summitcounty.info/DPRE.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH WORK-LIFE BALANCE SURVEY

The Department of Health and Human Services is working with the University of Utah on a survey about  Work/Life Balance. The purpose is to gather information to help employers know what they can do to better support low- to moderate-income families to retain employment.  

Participants are paid $25 for a 25-30 minute interview that can be done over the phone. Their goal is to find 600 participants across the state.

To participate a person must be:

– A caregiver of a child under age 12, or a caregiver to a child 12 and older with a disability;

– Middle to low income (annual household income of $50,000 or less);

– English speaking

Visit https://bit.ly/uofuwlbs to sign up to participate!

MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY

The Mental Health Survey closes next week. Please fill out the survey so we can improve the mental health of all Summit County residents. We also ask that you please share this survey with anyone you know. This is our chance to make a positive impact on the future of our community and help make a healthier community for all. Visit https://summitcountyhealth.org/survey/ today.