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Residents urge action on housing affordability; speakers propose land‑value tax and other reforms
Summary
Multiple members of the public told the council that housing affordability and stalled development are the city's top concerns. Commenters proposed a land-value tax, cited examples of stalled projects near Lee's Marketplace, and suggested using tax proceeds to help first‑time buyers.
During the public-comment period several Herriman residents urged the council to address housing affordability and stalled development.
Jonathan Whitworth opened the series of comments saying housing affordability for first‑time homebuyers and renters is the top issue facing Utahns and Herriman, and referenced the city’s 2025 General Amendment. Ezra Crane described a multi‑year delay on an apartment project next to Lee’s Marketplace, saying construction had been stalled for three years and that abandoned sites have attracted pests and harmed nearby properties.
Multiple commenters advocated for a land‑value tax to discourage speculation and accelerate development. Dominic Holmes urged a land-value tax, framing it as a systemic remedy. Blythe Gallegos cited examples from Pennsylvania and a Danish municipal study to argue land-value taxation encourages growth and that the incidence of such taxes falls on landowners at announcement rather than on current renters. Simon Dunn proposed distributing revenue from a land-value tax as a dividend for prospective homebuyers, comparing the idea to the Alaska Permanent Fund, and Daniel Quintana urged the council to choose policies that keep Utahns — especially young families — able to live and buy homes in the state.
No council action on these suggestions occurred during the meeting; councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and the need to consider tools to address housing availability.
