Cross E. Ranch Sought Residential Zoning Change
The family-run operation requested a rezone to help subsidize long-term agricultural activity.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Agriculture
Live Poll
Should cities allow residential rezoning to prevent the sale and closure of local family farms?
Cross E. Ranch has requested a residential zoning change from Salt Lake City for 65 acres of its 212-acre property. The family intends to use the capital from the land sale to sustain farming operations on the remaining 150 acres.
Why it matters
The move is designed to buy out family members who no longer wish to farm, as existing agricultural and agrotourism revenues currently fail to meet the ranch's financial obligations.
The ranch spans 212 acres total, with 65 acres requested for residential rezoning and 150 acres designated to remain as active farmland. The property is currently zoned for light industrial use.
The players
Cross E. Ranch
This is a family-run agricultural and agrotourism operation currently located in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City
The municipal government serves as the zoning jurisdiction responsible for reviewing the ranch's development request.
The details
The ranch plans to sell the southern portion of the land to a developer if the zoning request is approved by Salt Lake City. If the request is denied, the family expects to sell the entire 212-acre property for industrial development.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: The rezoning request and future property plans were publicized.
Market Landscape
The request reflects the growing tension between urban expansion and heritage agriculture in the Salt Lake City region. This move highlights a strategy to preserve remaining farmland by leveraging a portion of the asset to stabilize the overall operation.
If the rezoning is approved, residents could see new housing development south of Center Street. The final outcome will determine whether this land remains a local agricultural site or transitions into residential and industrial zones.
The takeaway
Family farms often face significant pressure to monetize land to reconcile differing long-term goals among owners. Developers and residents should watch the municipal decision as it will set a precedent for how the city manages its remaining large-acreage tracts.
Further reading
Learn more about the state of the region's Agriculture industry.
Live Poll
Should cities allow residential rezoning to prevent the sale and closure of local family farms?
