LIFESTYLE
Desirable Neighborhoods and Housing

Downtown neighborhoods offer convenient access to employment, education, services, and daily needs. Downtown St. George hosts neighborhoods that are diverse in character but consistently preserve historic assets and offer safe and appealing environments for residents in all stages of life. Lifestyle is supported by strategies and actions under many other Principles.

To offer desirable neighborhoods and housing, St. George will strive to:

Pursue Distinctive Downtown Character

Placemaking is a critical element of establishing Downtown as a thriving activity center for the community. Downtown includes four character types, Homey, Lively, Connected Neighborhoods and Connected Corridors, which have been mapped to areas of Downtown.

Align Downtown zoning regulations to Character Area policies, with appropriate transitions.

Support development proposals that are consistent with the Character Areas vision and policies.

Develop, make publicly available, and periodically refresh an image library of development and design ideas that are consistent with each Character Area.

Strengthen the identity of Downtown neighborhoods through branding and signage.

Enhance the sense of place in the Arts District and adjacent to Utah Tech University campus with distinctive investments such as banners, murals, signage, etc.

Enhance Downtown to celebrate St. George as a university town, especially adjacent to Utah Tech University campus, by encouraging and supporting uses that serve the needs of students and faculty.

Support Safe, Stable, and Convenient Downtown Neighborhoods

Downtown residents value the safety, stability, and convenience of their neighborhoods.

Encourage property owners to maintain, upgrade, and occupy Downtown homes.

Allow infill housing and a mix of uses in Downtown neighborhoods consistent with the Character Areas policies.

Improve walkability through pedestrian enhancements, with an emphasis on connecting residents to neighborhood-serving parks, schools, and businesses.

Integrate urban design elements known to reduce crime in Downtown zoning regulations and design guidelines

Mitigate the perception of diminished safety that often accompanies population growth and increased density as indicated in the General Plan policies and including data specific to Downtown.

House All Ages and Stages

Downtown offers opportunities to add new housing consistent with the Moderate Income Housing (MIH) Plan. Revitalization areas are appropriate locations to allow more small footprint, multistory, and multifamily units.

Use Character Area designations to guide which housing types are appropriate in various Downtown locations, allowing most desired types by right.

When deciding development proposals, give strong consideration to the community’s need and desire -- documented in adopted Plans -- to provide attainable and small footprint housing options.

Update the Downtown zoning regulations to allow more housing, and diverse moderate income housing consistent with the MIH Plan and Character Areas.

Encourage infill housing for students and families of students in proximity to Utah Tech University, consistent with designated Character Areas.

Participate in the Housing Action Coalition, regarding regional attainable housing strategies.

Update the Accessory Dwelling Units regulations consistent with the policy direction of the General Plan, to address Landmark properties, to encourage reinvestment in Downtown residential properties, and to support an increase in housing supply in Downtown.

Engage the Community in a Friendly Downtown

While offering entertainment and a lively atmosphere, Downtown’s activity centers should remain safe and comfortable for all community members.

Support the welcoming, giving, and engaged spirit of the community by fostering opportunities for residents to participate in improvements within their neighborhoods.

Continue to provide City facilities that host community events, activities and gathering opportunities, such as Sun Bowl, Town Square, and the Electric Theater.

Enhance pedestrian scale lighting in Downtown public spaces to invite the community to continue use after dark.

Improve walkability through pedestrian enhancements connecting dining, arts, leisure and services in Downtown activity centers.

Encourage the expansion of entertainment businesses for families and adults through favorable zoning regulations.

Expand activities for teens and college-aged students in civic spaces within the Arts District, near Utah Tech University, and in future activity centers in Lively Character Areas.

Encourage Washington School Districts to retain public schools to serve current and future downtown students.