Planning Commission Meeting - October 10, 2024

Meeting Summary

The Planning Commission held public hearings on four items during its October 10 meeting, with the most significant being continued discussion of the controversial Critical Homeownership Overlay Zone (CHOZ). The CHOZ is Lehi City's proposed approach to meeting a state mandate requiring municipalities to implement strategies for housing affordable to residents earning less than 80% of the area median income, with noncompliance risking $250-per-day state fines. The commission reviewed revisions to the CHOZ code section that had been updated since it was first introduced on August 22, 2024. Key concerns centered on the equity lock component, which is designed to prevent first-time homebuyers from purchasing a CHOZ-priced home and quickly reselling it at market prices for profit. Commission Chair Greg Jackson questioned whether the program unfairly burdens individual property sellers rather than distributing the subsidy across the community. Commissioner Emily Lockhart pushed for market-based solutions and objected to government restrictions on how long homeowners must hold their property before selling. City Planner Brittany Harris defended the approach, arguing the city needs multiple tools to address affordable housing. The commission determined more work was needed and continued discussion to the October 24 meeting. The commission also heard items related to development code amendments, including proposed changes to accessory building setback requirements and other routine land use matters. The CHOZ discussion dominated the meeting and reflected broader community tensions about how Lehi should balance its rapid growth with housing affordability while preserving neighborhood character.