The allure of development on public lands masks its more serious consequences.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake City Tribune) A home and construction site in Riverton’s Mountain Ridge neighborhood on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Utah, like most of the Mountain West, is experiencing significant population growth due to the state’s robust job market and an increase in remote workers attracted to the state’s outdoor recreation culture. The number of households in Utah is expected to double within the next 50 years, and a recent legislative audit found that Utah will need to build nearly 28,000 new homes to accommodate the projected growth. This rapid growth is one reason home prices have skyrocketed. The median home price in Utah is $501,652, higher than the national average of $342,941.
A looming home affordability crisis is casting a shadow over the hopes of many Utahns who dream of homeownership, while nationwide, 73% of would-be homebuyers are being priced out of the housing market. Utah has the lowest percentage of homes with three bedrooms or less at 41.8%, compared to the national average of 67.7% for starter-sized homes, highlighting the need for urgent solutions.
Utah’s geographic constraints further complicate the issue. Surrounded by lakes and beautiful mountains, Utah has a hard time finding suitable land for development. This land shortage not only drives up real estate prices, but also highlights how precious public lands are. But in the face of rising housing prices, it’s tempting to see some of Utah’s 22 million acres of public lands as a panacea for our housing problems.
A proposed federal bill, the HOUSES Act, would allow private developers to purchase some of these public lands for housing projects, purportedly promoting more affordable housing. But I would argue that the allure of developing public lands belies its more serious consequences.
Consider the example of Three Falls in Alpine, Utah. The 800 acres of beautiful land are filled with natural streams, springs, and waterfalls, which are especially valuable in a desert state like Utah. The City of Alpine initially blocked development on the 800 acres, believing that the natural beauty of the site needed to be protected. Private developers eventually turned the site into a very exclusive community with multi-million dollar mansions, and public access to many of these beautiful spaces and natural resources is now blocked.
It is instructive that bills to develop public lands are often sponsored by the large real estate companies that drive such development and therefore stand to profit from the development of public lands.
“Bills like the HOUSES Act may promise to solve our housing crisis, but they overlook the immeasurable benefits of public open spaces. These areas serve as sanctuaries for mental and physical health, promote the overall health of our communities, and protect biodiversity. When these spaces are lost to development, they are lost forever, leaving voids across our land and diminishing the charm of our state.”
And promises to build affordable housing near vacant lots on the edge of town ring hollow. As real estate agents, we know the realities of the market: new housing in such locations will not magically become affordable. Instead, it will cater to the desires of the wealthiest. The solution lies not in sacrificing public lands, but in adopting other approaches that actually help ordinary homeowners and communities.
Giving homeowners the freedom to rent out parts of their homes or build detached accessory units creates a more dynamic housing ecosystem. Relaxing restrictive regulations, such as excessive limits on the use of accessory dwelling units, allows neighborhoods to organically adapt to changing needs. This flexibility promotes diversity in housing options and ultimately affordability.
Policymakers should trust the power of the free market to address our housing problems, rather than restricting property rights. Removing restrictions that prevent individuals and communities from implementing their own creative solutions to housing shortages will help unlock our communities’ true potential. We must protect Utah’s public lands as a legacy for future generations and pursue housing solutions that honor both our traditions and our future.
Protecting Utah’s public lands isn’t just for housing, it’s about protecting our state’s identity. These spaces offer an escape from urban life, providing peace and inspiration for those who explore the surrounding hiking trails and mountains. Plus, they play a major role in maintaining air quality and supporting wildlife habitat, contributing to the health of our entire ecosystem.
Once these lands are lost, they are lost forever. This is the true reality. We cannot sacrifice natural lands for short-term profit or financial gain. It is our mission to advocate for policies that prioritize the long-term well-being of our communities.
Overall, achieving affordable housing in Utah must embrace community-driven solutions, not development on public lands. By protecting these spaces, we safeguard our common heritage and ensure a brighter future for future generations. Now is the time to come together to protect Utah’s public lands and build a more inclusive and sustainable housing future for all.
Alexandra McEwen is a third generation real estate agent with over 13 years’ experience.
Alexandra McEwen Alex is a third generation real estate agent with over 13 years of experience. Along with his husband, Mike, he leads McEwen Realtors and helps run the highly respected brokerage, Selling Utah Real Estate. As an Associate Broker, Alex has been recognized annually as a top performer in the real estate industry and has consistently ranked in the top 1% of sales among local real estate agents in Utah. Alex also served as a Cedar Hills City Councilman from 2022-2024.
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