Creating Smart Growth Incentives

Governor Levitt stated his support for incentives versus mandates, and made clear the need for increased affordable housing development in the state, saying, "We all go through the apartment phase of our lives." He also proposed teaming up with the state's farmers, "who also have an interest in stemming urban sprawl and saving open space." "Legislators created the Quality Growth Commission in 1999 when the nonprofit Envision Utah was promoting walkable, mixed-use developments and prescribing financial incentives for developers who build them. So far, the commission has not offered legislators an incentive package or detailed recommendations, except for a policy to sell off more public lands so towns have room to grow. The commission's main function has been to dole out grants for planning and preserving open space."