Ivory Homes outlines ‘starter home’ model and asks city to consider ordinance changes

Ivory Homes representatives presented a concept to the Layton City Council on Dec. 19 for a public–private approach to build smaller “starter” single-family homes and townhomes on about 75 acres north of Gentile Street.

Skyler Tolbert, speaking for Ivory Homes, said the company’s model reduces upfront construction costs by offering homes without attached garages and allowing future carports or garages to be added. Tolbert said that approach could lower the initial sale price by the cost of the garage — an example figure cited in the presentation was about $25,000 — and that the company has used similar designs in other Utah markets.

The presentation emphasized a mixed product that would include small-lot single-family homes, townhomes and roughly 10% open space on the model parcel; current Layton code requires a higher open-space percentage in some overlays. Ivory’s materials showed precedent projects, including deed-restricted units in South Jordan that used municipal funds to lower prices.

Chad Wilkinson, a city planning staffer, told the council the product would require a local ordinance change because Layton’s current zoning does not permit the specific setback and lot-size adjustments Ivory proposed. Wilkinson said staff would pursue code language if the council signaled support.

Council members asked how the model translated into sales price and who would qualify for any deep affordability tools. Tolbert said Ivory’s most affordable single-family products in other areas began in the low-to-mid $400,000s depending on market conditions, and cautioned exact numbers for the Layton parcel would depend on final unit mix, infrastructure costs and construction timing. He said Ivory’s Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation supports housing-related charitable work statewide, but federal tax and corporate rules prevent the builder from directly applying foundation proceeds to reduce for-sale prices in a specific market.

Council members pressed for details about how the city could help preserve affordability: suggestions included targeted down-payment assistance, use of redevelopment or housing set-aside funds, deed restrictions limiting speculative purchases, or changes to development standards to permit smaller lots and garages at the rear or later added. Wilkinson said the city has an application in process for a separate program designed to enable smaller ownership lots and that staff would explore a specific ordinance to allow the proposed product.

The Mata family, owners of land adjacent to the proposed area, addressed the council and said they plan to retain about 10 acres as a working farm and explore a farm co-op amenity for residents. Ivory representatives said the project concept would integrate the Mata acreage as open-space amenity rather than part of the immediate residential build-out.

No formal vote was taken on the Ivory concept; councilmembers asked staff to continue discussions and asked Ivory to return with more detailed numbers and a proposed ordinance if the company wishes to pursue formal approvals.