Utah Association of Special Districts offers to partner on housing, zoning and growth issues

Heather Anderson, government affairs director for the Utah Association of Special Districts, addressed the Vision Interim Committee May 21 and asked the committee to include special districts as stakeholders in interim discussions about growth, zoning and housing.

Anderson said the association has begun initial conversations with the League of Cities and Towns and county stakeholders and wants to provide data and perspective when the committee studies topics tied to population growth and housing shortages. “A lot of times when those discussions happen, we need the municipalities and we need the counties, but special districts provide culinary water, wastewater treatment, public transit, fire protection, EMS service among other things,” Anderson said. “We just like to be a partner and a resource for all of you.”

Committee members responded by pointing to existing statewide efforts, including the Statewide Strategic Housing Plan working groups; Representative Pena noted those working groups would be appropriate venues for special districts to engage. Anderson did not present specific legislative proposals at the meeting; she requested opportunities to testify and provide data to working groups and future committee hearings on housing and zoning policy.

No committee action was taken on Anderson’s request; committee staff will distribute meeting materials and may schedule stakeholder appearances in follow-up interim meetings as study items progress.