South Jordan council reviews updated housing report and considers PD floating‑zone change east of FrontRunner

South Jordan City staff presented an updated housing report and a set of proposed implementation strategies to address a large shortfall of units affordable to low‑ and moderate‑income households, and asked the council whether to direct staff to pursue a text amendment to the PD (planned development) floating zone to allow more than eight units per acre east of the FrontRunner commuter rail.

The presentation was led by Ryan Smith of Zions Bank Public Finance and by City staff, who framed the report as both a planning tool and a compliance item. "It is a state requirement under Utah Code 10‑9a," Ryan Smith said while starting the presentation. City staff said the report will be packaged with an implementation plan and returned for adoption as part of the general plan.

The report summarizes current conditions and projections. Staff said South Jordan's population is roughly 82,000 and, under present trends, could increase by about 14,000 people by 2030. Household size is projected to fall slightly — from about 3.14 persons per household to just over 3.0 — which staff tied to statewide and regional trends and changes in unit mix and affordability. Using standard metropolitan‑area median income (AMI) thresholds and typical mortgage assumptions, staff said many essential workers and single‑earner households face prices well above what is affordable on their incomes. Staff reported a housing gap of…