5,000 signature referendum could stop controversial Dakota Pacific development

A referendum, approved by the Summit County attorney's office, means County Council's approval of the project could be overturned

PARK CITY, Utah — Summit County officials have cleared the way for a countywide referendum challenging Dakota Pacific Real Estate’s controversial Kimball Junction development to proceed. Deputy County Attorney Helen Strachan confirmed in a Jan. 13 letter to referendum sponsors that the petition complies with state land use laws, allowing the next steps in the process to move forward.

The proposed development by Dakota Pacific Real Estate, approved by the Summit County Council amid widespread public opposition on December 18 with a 4-1 vote, includes 890 housing units, a transit center and a pedestrian bridge on the west side of Kimball Junction.

Councilmember Roger Armstrong, the lone dissenting vote, enabled the referendum process under state law.

Strachan said after reviewing the petition filed by seven Summit County voters the proposed referendum is “legally referable” to voters, who could overturn the County Council’s decision.

What’s next in the referendum process
To place the referendum on the ballot, sponsors must gather signatures from 16% of registered voters in three of the county’s four voting regions within 45 days of the opinion being issued, County Manager Shayne Scott said. This translates to nearly 5,000 signatures across the county’s 30,000 voters.

“This puts us in March before signatures are gathered and then they must be certified by the County Clerk,” Scott said.

The timeline for the referendum is lengthy – the vote would likely take place during the next general election in November 2026. Even if the referendum does not succeed, the process means no construction can begin, Scott said.

State pressure remains a concern

The project has faced intense public scrutiny, with residents voicing concerns about worsening traffic gridlock. Many argue that traffic issues should be addressed before construction begins. Armstrong previously noted pressure from the state as weighing on the council’s decision.

“I wish we had more time to get this right. Once we sign this our negotiation leverage is significantly diminished,” Armstrong said. “If there wasn’t someone with a club standing behind Dakota Pacific saying ‘Do it our else,’ we could get it right” in regard to the influence of the state legislature on this project.

County Manager Shayne Scott echoed similar concerns about what the state legislature might do to owrest control from local government to the state by way of new land use bills.

Financial Implications and Community Impact

Matt Leavitt CFO for Summit County outlined the potential financial losses should Summit County Ordinance No. 987 (the now formal name for the Dakota Pacific Project be) repealed. Leavitt estimated an annual tax loss of $266,800, $4 million in rental income from the county-owned portion of housing units and a bond debt impact of $50.3 million.