Lehi planners hear proposal to trade density for deed‑restricted, lower‑priced homes; questions linger over comparables and enforcement

Lehi City Planning Commission members on Dec. 5 heard more than two hours of testimony, public comment and commissioner questions on a proposed Attainable Homeownership Overlay Zone that would allow developers to seek higher residential density in exchange for legally recorded commitments to sell a share of homes at a reduced price.

Britney, the staff presenter, said the proposal grew from more than a year of work with city staff, council members and private developers and framed it as a response to rising local housing costs. She cited figures compiled by Jason Harris using Census and MLS data, saying Lehi’s 2023 median household income was about $107,000 (which she used to estimate a 100%‐affordability price of roughly $480,000) and that 2023 MLS sales showed a median single‑family sales price of about $655,000. She also showed a 2024 snapshot of far fewer active listings and substantially higher asking prices, noting the numbers were pulled earlier and might change.

Under the overlay as described, a landowner or developer could apply for additional lots or units in exchange for a development agreement that would include a ‘target price’ for certain homes. The ordinance would set a minimum discount (20% below comparables in staff…