Summit County Council Chair Canice Harte, who is seeking reelection in District 5, says preserving open space, expanding housing options and preparing transportation infrastructure for the 2034 Winter Olympics remain among his top priorities. Photo: Canice Harte

The District 5 incumbent points to open-space preservation, workforce housing efforts and Olympic transportation planning as key accomplishments of his first term.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Canice Harte says his first term on the Summit County Council has been defined by one overarching goal: protecting the landscapes and community character that make Summit County unique.

Now seeking reelection to represent District 5, Harte points to open-space preservation, housing initiatives, and long-term infrastructure planning as some of the work he’s most proud of during his first four years in office.

“Absolutely, without question, I’m most proud of securing the 910 Cattle Ranch,” Harte said. “The preservation of over 8,600 acres of land for wildlife and open space is something that I will forever be proud of.”

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Protecting open space

Harte said the preservation of the 910 Cattle Ranch, along with other open-space acquisitions, represents one of the council’s most significant accomplishments in recent years.

In addition to the 910 property, Harte highlighted the preservation of Ure Ranch and other open-space initiatives that he said help protect wildlife habitat, waterways, and wetlands throughout the county.

“I’m also really happy about the open space in general that we’ve purchased,” he said.

At the same time, Harte acknowledged the tension between preserving land and addressing housing affordability.

“Every time we create more open space, essentially we’re driving housing prices up,” Harte said.

He said that reality requires county leaders to be strategic about which properties they preserve and why.

“We have to be very selective about the open space that we do preserve and make sure it’s meaningful,” he said.

Housing solutions and infill development

Harte also points to the creation of the Summit County Housing Authority as one of the accomplishments he’s most proud of during his first term.

He said the authority was created to provide the county with additional tools to address workforce housing challenges and identify long-term solutions.

“One of the things you have to do is make sure you have the right tools to be able to address it,” Harte said.

Potential solutions, he said, include infill development, accessory dwelling units, and other strategies that increase housing opportunities without dramatically expanding the county’s footprint.

For Harte, the goal is balancing housing needs with the community’s desire to preserve open space and rural character.

“It doesn’t mean we don’t do open space,” he said. “We just are selective about the open space we purchase.”

State pressure and local control

One of Harte’s recurring concerns is the growing influence of state-level policies on local land-use decisions.

He said state leaders often view undeveloped land as an opportunity for housing production, while many Summit County residents view those same landscapes as resources worth protecting.

“When we look at open fields, we see it as a place to preserve and protect,” Harte said.

He said county leaders must continue advocating for local priorities while working collaboratively with state lawmakers.

“We need to fight for the values of Summit County to protect our wild space and our open space as much as possible,” he said.

Harte said county officials have worked to redirect conversations toward infill development and redevelopment rather than large-scale expansion into undeveloped areas.

Preparing for the 2034 Olympics

As the county’s representative on Olympic planning efforts, Harte said transportation remains the most significant infrastructure challenge ahead of the 2034 Winter Games.

He pointed to improvements at the Interstate 80 and state Route 224 interchange, the Interstate 80 and state Route 248 interchange, bus rapid transit projects, and regional transportation planning as top priorities.

“How we’re moving people in and out of the area is our top priority,” Harte said.

The county is also exploring satellite parking locations and expanded transit options designed to reduce vehicle congestion during the Olympics and beyond.

Harte said many of those investments will provide long-term benefits long after the Games conclude.

“We’re using the Olympics to prioritize or speed up the production of them,” he said, “but we think we’re going to benefit from them many years beyond.”

What people misunderstand about growth

Harte said one of the biggest misconceptions he encounters is the belief that recent county councils have aggressively approved new development.

In reality, he said, much of the growth residents see today stems from approvals granted years ago.

“With the exception of Dakota Pacific, which obviously the state forced into happening, the county has not approved a new building or any kind of construction since 2015,” Harte said.

He said many projects currently under construction were entitled long before the current council took office.

“We really do hold firm to this idea of not giving out any new entitlements until we can draw down on the density that’s already been approved,” he said.

While that approach can sometimes frustrate developers and state officials, Harte said he believes it reflects Summit County’s desire to grow thoughtfully.

Why run again?

Harte said his decision to seek a second term comes down to one thing: service.

A former Marine, Harte said public service has shaped much of his adult life, from military service to volunteer work and elected office.

“The idea that I get to serve the people of Summit County every day is something that I take immense pride in and joy,” Harte said.

He said he remains committed to representing District 5 residents and continuing work already underway on open space, housing, and transportation.

“I really believe in a representative form of government,” Harte said. “I’m here for the people.”

Editor’s note: This story is part of TownLift’s 2026 election coverage. TownLift is interviewing candidates across local races to help voters better understand the people seeking public office, their priorities, and their approach to governing ahead of the June primary election.