Council approves Bulldog Lane subdivision using city land trust to hold workforce homes

The Provo City Council voted unanimously, 7-0, to amend the zone map for property around 3200 West Bulldog Lane, rezoning it to one-family residential with a performance development overlay (R1-6 P-D) and allowing a 68-lot single-family subdivision that mixes market-rate and workforce homes.

City staff and the developer said the plan shifts lots away from environmentally sensitive areas and uses a clustering approach to preserve a wetland area that will remain open and include a boardwalk trail. Developer Nielsen Homes presented a concept plan showing 68 detached single-family homes; the project would include 34 workforce units and 34 market-rate units intermingled throughout the subdivision, not segregated by unit type.

City economic development and the developer said the workforce units would be made more affordable by removing land cost from the sale price and partnering with a community land trust (the Utah Community Land Trust). Sarah Van Cleave, executive director of the Utah Community Land Trust, said deed restrictions, resale formulas and income limits will be used so land stays affordable in perpetuity while units are owner-occupied. Director of Development Services Bill Pepperoni told the council the plan is a joint venture with the Provo Housing Authority and aims to make ownership viable for essential workers and city employees.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing urged the council to reserve commercial pads or neighborhood services in the broader West Provo area; staff said several commercial pads exist elsewhere in West Provo and that recruitment of retailers depends on market thresholds such as rooftops and median income. The council and staff also discussed traffic, school capacity and wetlands protections; staff said the development will not build on the delineated wetlands and that Public Works has reviewed capacity and mitigation strategies.

Developer Matt Meyer (Nelson/Nielsen Homes) said workforce homes will be sized to reduce cost (developer said workforce homes may be as small as 900-1,500 sq ft, with at least one attached garage). Pepperoni said the project is intended to mix product types so the workforce homes are not visually distinguishable from market-rate homes.

The council recorded a unanimous vote (7-0) to approve the zone map amendment and concept approach. Staff and the developer said additional approvals (subdivision application, technical reports, infrastructure and permitting) are required before homes can be constructed.