Summit County has shelled out $3.2 million for a 25-acre parcel at the bend where eastbound Interstate 80 swings into U.S. 40, cutting developers off from land that was once pitched for a 410-unit Highland Flats complex. County officials say the newly acquired ground will stay mostly open, with potential low-key uses like agriculture, trails, a dog park, or an equestrian arena. The June 4 purchase effectively pulls one of Snyderville Basin’s most-watched parcels out of contention for dense new housing.
County Chooses Open Space Over Apartments
In a news release, Summit County said it bought Tax Parcel SS-32-B using money from the voter-approved 2021 general-obligation open-space bond. County leaders say they plan to keep the land “largely open” and will favor low-impact, community-serving uses instead of residential development. County Lands and Natural Resources Director Jess Kirby said in the release that about $16 million remains in the open-space fund for similar land buys.
Developers Still Control the Other Half
County spokesperson Derek Siddoway told KPCW the county paid $3.2 million for the western portion, even though the land’s assessed value sat at about $1.3 million. The Colmena Group and Breen Homes, the development partners behind the Highland Flats concept, still own the eastern tract, which they listed for $4.9 million in late 2023, according to the report. Summit County Manager Shayne Scott told the county release that the chance of housing being built on the site is “extremely unlikely.”
Flashpoint Over Highland Flats
Highland Flats first surfaced in 2020 as a 27-building, 410-unit proposal that quickly became a flashpoint, drawing strong pushback from neighbors and a negative recommendation from the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission. The county’s general plan designates the area for very low density or open space. As the Park Record reported, developers pointed to the project’s large affordable-housing component as a public benefit, while planners and residents raised alarms over traffic, infrastructure strain, and zoning conflicts. With the western parcel now in county hands, the land-use debate will shift to what happens on the remaining eastern piece.
Next Moves For The Gateway Parcel
Summit County says any plans for the newly purchased land will go through the public process and focus on protecting the basin’s rural feel while expanding access for residents. In its release, Summit County highlighted “thoughtful stewardship” as the guiding principle and floated trails, continued agricultural operations and limited community facilities as early ideas, with no final decision yet on a specific use. Neighbors and local officials will be watching closely to see whether the eastern parcel attracts a fresh proposal or eventually joins the county’s open-space portfolio, keeping the full site intact.
