Property Rights Ombudsman and Land Use Academy promoted as mediation and training resources

Rob Terry, who manages statewide land use training, explained the services available from the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman and the Land Use Academy of Utah during the Feb. 26 Centerville Planning Commission meeting.

Terry described the ombudsman's role as an independent, neutral resource to help resolve tensions between private property owners and government actions. He said the office provides three primary services: education, negotiation and legal assistance (mediation and advisory opinions).

"They will then compare them to state law, to legal precedent, to best practices, and they will put together an analysis that says, if this item were to go before a judge, this is likely the way that the judge would rule," Terry said of the office's advisory opinion process. He said the office has issued more than 300 advisory opinions and typically has 20 to 40 matters on its docket.

Terry said there is a modest fee for an advisory opinion: "There is a small charge. It is a hundred and $50," he said, and he noted the office's limited attorney staffing can result in advisory opinions taking several months to complete.

Terry also described the Land Use Academy of Utah (LUO), which the state and the Utah League of Cities and Towns maintain as a central repository for planning information, templates and best practices. He said the site is kept current and can be helpful both to new commissioners and to experienced planning staff.

Terry closed by offering the ombudsman's office as a follow‑up resource for Centerville staff and commissioners and stating the office can provide remote trainings or targeted materials when requested.