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ST. GEORGE — Gov. Spencer Cox put cities and counties in southern Utah and the rest of the state on notice Tuesday. Start approving smaller lots for starter homes or the state may force their hand.
Speaking to members of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association during a luncheon at the St. George Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday, Cox urged the contractors to build more starter homes costing less than $300K as a way to make homes affordable for more local residents.
He also said that he's giving one year for local communities to do zoning and permit approvals that will pave the way for more affordable homes.
Local mayors and council members have been critical about what they allege is the governor and the state Legislature taking authority on residential zoning decisions away from the cities in the name of promoting affordable housing. Cox told the homebuilders he cut some state red tape for cities to allow for smaller housing zones and smaller residential lots that are needed to allow more people to own a home and he expects local actions within the next year.
