Park City approves Clark Ranch conservation easement, limits housing site to 10 acres

A rendering of the proposed development viewed across HWY 40 provided by the developer. Photo: Clark Ranch view

PARK CITY, Utah — After months of public debate and delays in city approval, the Park City Council has unanimously approved an updated conservation easement for the city-owned Clark Ranch property.

The decision permanently protects 329 acres of the 344-acre site as open space. The remaining 15 acres are currently excluded from the easement due to a proposed housing project led by Wisconsin-based The Alexander Company. The development envisions approximately 200 units of workforce housing, targeting households earning between 50% and 70% of area median income. In Summit County, that equates to roughly $59,000 to $82,600 annually for a one-person household.

City Environmental Sustainability Manager Luke Cartin said that although 15 acres are currently excluded from the conservation easement, only 10 acres may be used for the proposed affordable housing development and any associated infrastructure, an update from the November 6 proposal. The remaining five acres will serve as a buffer until the exact development site is selected, at which point those acres will receive the same level of open space protection as the rest of the property.

Clark Ranch, located in the Quinn’s Junction area near Park City Heights, was purchased by the city in 2014 using Resort Communities Tax funds. While most of the land has long been intended for conservation, city officials have maintained that a limited portion was always contemplated for another civic use.

Concerns over the size of the potential development area prompted the council to delay a vote on the easement in early November. At the time, councilmembers said they wanted to ensure the agreement did not inadvertently allow development beyond the intended 10 acres.

During Thursday’s meeting, Cartin noted that the easement does allow limited features such as roads or parking associated with recreation uses, including trailheads and community gathering spaces.

Utah Open Lands, which will hold and enforce the easement, said it will ensure the council’s intent is honored.

City staff said a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission is expected in early 2026 to select the specific 10-acre site for development. Any future changes to the conserved land, including large infrastructure proposals, would require approval from Utah Open Lands.