The Utah Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) is looking for development proposals that “offer solutions to solve the housing crisis” on a 40-acre parcel of land in Ivins just off Hwy 91.
Proposals must contain a plan to help provide affordable housing with an emphasis on the Governor’s goal of providing single detached homes in the sub $400,000 price range.
SITLA anticipates these homes will range from 1,200 sf to 1,800 square feet, on 3,000 to 4,000 square foot lots. Upgrades that have become common (garages, entertainment rooms, stone countertops, etc.) will be completely eliminated, or massively scaled back to lower the price points as much as possible.
The land is in unincorporated Washington County but is in “Area 2” of the Ivins Annexation Policy Plan. The plan dates back to 2005. Our Planning Commission started discussing an update of the plan in mid-October, but other things have gotten in the way since then. The update will happen in 2025. (Download the 2005 Annexation Plan.) SITLAs information package states, “It is anticipated that this parcel will be annexed into the city of Ivins.”
Download the information package from SITLA. Gregg McArthur, the Economic Development and Project Manager with SITLA told me today, “We have received a good amount of interest from developers on the Ivins 40 parcel. I would anticipate we will receive multiple submittals.” I will post more information when I learn more.
Does SITLA Have Special Powers?
The answer is yes. The Utah Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) has the authority to develop its lands without adhering to our zoning ordinances. That means SITLA can approve developments on its properties that do not conform to Ivins regulations, such as minimum lot sizes or building height restrictions.
For example, their request for proposals on the Ivins site says they are looking for developers to build single-family homes on lots that are 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. The highest density single-family zone we have in Ivins is R-1-5, which allows lots to be as small as 5,000 square feet. We do not have a zone that allows smaller single-family lots.
For more detailed information on SITLA’s authority and its relationship with local zoning laws, you can refer to Title 53C of the Utah Code.
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