When a new housing development is proposed, it doesn't get built automatically.
Most projects must go through a public approval process that includes review by planning commissions, city staff, and elected officials. These decisions shape the future of our communities and determine whether new housing options are approved.
That's where WALC's Development Review program comes in.
What Is Development Review?
Development Review is WALC's process for evaluating proposed housing developments and land use decisions across the Wasatch Region.
Our volunteers and staff review project plans, staff reports, and public meeting materials to understand how a proposal will impact the community.
When a project aligns with WALC's mission, we submit comments and testimony supporting its approval.
Why It Matters
Every home that gets built must first be approved.
Too often, decision-makers hear only from people who oppose new housing. Development Review helps ensure they also hear from residents who support:
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More housing choices
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Walkable neighborhoods
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Housing near jobs and transit
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Opportunities for future generations
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Communities that welcome new neighbors
Local decisions matter. A single planning commission vote can determine whether dozens—or even hundreds—of homes move forward.
What WALC Evaluates
WALC reviews projects based on questions like:
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Does the project create more housing and/or does it create more affordable housing?
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Does it expand housing options for different household types?
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Is it located near jobs, schools, transit, or services?
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Does it support stated community goals and adopted plans?
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Does it make efficient use of existing infrastructure?
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Does it help create a more livable and connected community?
Our goal is not to support every project. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based feedback that advances housing opportunities throughout the region.
Our Evaluation Criteria
WALC volunteers and staff use a Development Review Worksheet to evaluate each proposed development. It helps us decide which developments align with our priorities and how to support them. Select a section below to see what we look at.
Abundant homes for everyone in our region
How many homes the project adds, including projects that increase the number of homes in a single-family zone.
Affordable homes for everyone in our region
What share of the homes are affordable.
Abundant homes in neighborhoods that support economic mobility
Whether the project is in a neighborhood where children from lower-income families go on to higher incomes as adults, based on data from The Opportunity Atlas.
Abundant non-car transportation options for everyone in our region
How well the site is served by transit and other non-car options, based on its AllTransit Performance Score from the Housing and Transit Affordability Index.
Non-car transportation prioritized in our communities
Whether the project includes things like car-share, bike-share, or transit pass programs; shared parking near light rail that neighbors can use; coordination with the city to improve multimodal infrastructure nearby; or secure bicycle storage. We also consider the project’s number of parking spots relative to its number of homes.
Missing middle housing in our communities
Whether the project adds smaller-scale housing such as duplexes, townhomes, cottages, courtyard apartments, or small apartments (learn more about missing middle housing) in a neighborhood that is otherwise less dense, or uses innovative building types like tiny homes, modular or pre-fabricated homes, or accessory dwelling units.
Densification in our communities
Whether the project requires upzoning to allow more housing than is currently permitted (including rezoning non-residential land to residential), or adds homes on a parcel by making full use of its existing zoning.
Dense communities
How many homes the project provides per acre of development area.
Beyond the criteria above, we also look at additional context to help decide how to respond to a proposed development:
- Does the project include 3+ bedroom units or family-oriented amenities such as a daycare facility?
- Does it create opportunities for income-qualified tenants to build wealth, through models such as for-sale housing, shared equity, profit-sharing, cooperative housing, community land trusts, or stipends for renters?
- Does it preserve, rehabilitate, or repurpose an existing structure for housing?
- Which transit stops and active transportation resources are within a quarter mile of the project?
- Is the project mixed commercial and residential, with commercial spaces open to the public?
- Does it include a significant amenity open to the public?
- Are a public school, public library, park or green space, or bike share location within a quarter mile?
- Does the project clean up a brownfield?
- Is the project likely to be built without any action from WALC?
- What opposition, if any, is there to the project, and why?
- Is there any other reason WALC should not participate in support of the project?
Get Involved
Development Review is one of the most impactful ways volunteers can support WALC's mission.
You do not need to be a planner, architect, or housing expert to participate. WALC provides training, resources, and guidance to help volunteers understand local development proposals and planning processes.
Whether you can review one project a month or attend an occasional planning commission meeting, your participation helps create a stronger voice for housing and livable communities.
Help Shape the Future of Your Community
Every new home starts with a local decision.
By participating in the Development Review process, you can help ensure that communities across the Wasatch Region have the housing options needed for families, workers, seniors, and future generations.
Ready to get involved?
Become a WALC Development Evaluator and help review projects that will shape the future of our communities.
Visit our volunteer page, sign up to participate, and join a growing network of advocates working to support housing and community development throughout the Wasatch Region.
