Summit County Council set to hear development proposals for Cline Dahle and Fire Station 35 Sites

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – The Summit County Council will spend much of its May 21 meeting reviewing six development proposals for the Cline Dahle and Fire Station 35 properties—two critical parcels in the Snyderville Basin eyed for future housing and civic uses.

According to a staff report, the county issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January after updating the draft at the council’s direction last fall. The RFP closed March 24, and six companies submitted bids. Since then, county staff have reviewed and ranked the proposals based on their alignment with county priorities, including affordability, open space, and design standards.

Next week’s council meeting marks a major step in the process: public presentations from each development team, which will help inform the county’s final selection. Each respondent will have 30 minutes to present their vision, with a focus on three core areas. A summary of their project including number and type of housing units, affordability levels, commercial square footage, and open space. Their designs, specifically how the project addresses 13 neighborhood design elements outlined in the RFP and, lastly, the team’s partnership structure with Summit County.

Affordability and Housing Approach

Brinshore Development and GTS Development propose a fully affordable model, requesting a $5.6 million soft loan and offering a 99-year ground lease that allows the county to retain long-term land ownership. Their plan includes a daycare operated by PC Tots and an all-electric, decarbonized building design.

Layton Legacy Jeremy Village also proposes 100% affordable housing, with units targeted down to 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). The team includes acclaimed architecture firm Eskew Dumez Ripple and emphasizes walkability, transit access, and sustainability through a shared HOA model.

Columbus Pacific’s “Settlement” proposal emphasizes recreational amenities and open space while offering a 94% affordable housing mix. Its plan includes a 57,000-square-foot community rec center with a pool and climbing wall, developed in partnership with Basin Recreation.

JF Development Group and Crandall Capital focus on homeownership models rather than rentals. Crandall’s proposal includes 286 units and an “affordable first” phasing strategy, along with a first-time homebuyer program and nearly $3 million in projected returns to the county. JF Development, meanwhile, points to its track record of developing the Enginehouse Apartments and its deep roots in Summit County.

Evergreen Devco’s proposal stands apart with the highest percentage of market-rate housing (over 80%) and the strongest commercial component, including a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and 30,000-square-foot medical office. It includes limited open space and distributes affordable units across both sites.

Land Use and Open Space

Columbus Pacific leads with open space, preserving 73.6% of the site (21.8 acres). Brinshore/GTS and Layton Legacy follow closely, offering 19.5 and 21.5 acres of preserved land, respectively. Evergreen provides the least open space at 9.9 acres, prioritizing commercial footprint instead.

Financial and Partnership Structures

Brinshore/GTS emphasizes long-term public control through a ground lease. Layton Legacy offers a $2 million land purchase. Crandall’s plan returns nearly $3 million to the county through unit sales. Evergreen proposes a public-private model with construction loan guarantees.

The council is expected to weigh these trade-offs and determine which proposal best meets the county’s goals for affordability, sustainability, and long-term community benefit. While no final decision will be made May 21, the discussion will help inform the council’s selection of a development partner.