Hurricane council votes on developer’s proposed changes to affordable housing community

HURRICANE — Canyon Del Sol, a manufactured home and recreational vehicle park in Hurricane, requested a variance Thursday to the size of the units allowed for future units in the park.

A view showing the still-under-construction 2800 West in Hurricane, Utah, Friday, June 2, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

The current zoning in the area was approved for 120 tiny homes of 400 square feet in the approximate area of 250 N. 2800 West across the street from the Sky Ridge subdivision.

“We are proposing to place units that are 800 to 1100 square feet with two to three bedrooms,” developer Sunwood Homes proposed in the request to the council. “In addition, we are requesting a name change from Canyon Del Sol to Canyon Villas.”

Residents of the Sky Ridge community voiced concerns that instead of 120 tiny home units, the developer wanted to increase to 180 park model units without increasing the lot sizes.

Carl Tanner voiced his hopes that the planned community doesn’t become another short-term rental neighborhood in the Hurricane Valley.

“There is no way to guarantee the successful completion of this development even with the variance approval,” he told the council. “But we hope this will not become another short-term rental, mobile, RV park.”

Artist rendering of a proposed affordable housing community near 250 North 2800 West in Hurricane, Utah | Photo courtesy of Sunwood Homes, St. George News

Stephen Howcroft, president of Sunwood Homes, said the average lot size in the community would be 2,450 square feet with two- to three-bedroom homes to be built in the 1,000-square-foot range by Champion Homes of St. George.

He noted the park will be managed with rules restricting building additions to keep the property looking nice and maintained.

New site plans also included hiking trails, park areas and additional parking.

Councilman Kevin Thomas said while he agrees Hurricane needs more affordable housing, approving the zone change would “be a mistake.”

“The points that these folks have made are very valid,” he said, “especially considering the fact that it’s a land lease. I think allowing a larger home can set people up for failure.”

Artist rendering of a proposed affordable housing community near 250 North 2800 West in Hurricane, Utah | Photo courtesy of Sunwood Homes, St. George News

Councilman David Hirschi sought clarification from city attorney Dayton Hall about the existing land lease by the developer, something approved by a previous city administration.

“So as much as we don’t like that, we can’t change that?” he asked, to which Sullivan agreed.

At the end of much discussion by neighboring residents, comments from the road, power and planning departments — and opinions from each of the council members — the zoning request was ultimately approved by a 3-2 vote.

Howcroft noted during his presentation that the average price for similar units in a new community in Washington City is approximately $150,000. And the average lot rent in Washington County is $700 per month.

A view showing the still-under-construction 2800 West in Hurricane, Utah, Friday, June 2, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

The development is planned across the street from the Sky Ridge community on 2800 West, a new road with a delayed opening due to grading issues, said Hurricane City Engineer Arthur LeBaron.

The short-term hosting website Airbnb lists at least seven homes in the subdivision with prices ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per night to rent homes with three to four bedrooms a short distance from Zion National Park.

One, a three-bed, three-bath house advertising 10 beds in a community with a private pool, lists for $3,500 per night.

Online trends website AirDNA statistics show there are currently 821 vacation rentals in the Hurricane, LaVerkin, Apple Valley area with 91% being classified as “entire home” rentals with an average 39% booking rate.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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