Layton Forward General Plan Update – Layton, UT

Overview

As part of the Layton Forward General Plan update, Chase partnered with people + place to develop a series of visualizations and diagrams that played a key role in shaping land use policy. Working closely with Layton City staff through interactive design sessions, Chase helped illustrate planning concepts such as urban agriculture, transit-oriented development, and other strategic growth areas—translating complex ideas into clear, visual narratives that informed better decision-making.

One of the most impactful contributions was the visualization of a “right-sized” Planned Residential Unit Development (PRUD) development standards. These graphics demonstrated how flexible zoning—allowing for varied lot sizes, setbacks, and housing types—could create more inclusive, livable neighborhoods with shared open spaces. The visuals showed how clustering homes could reduce development footprints while preserving meaningful green space, encouraging social interaction, and accommodating a wider range of household types, from young families to empty nesters.

By clearly illustrating how design incentives like density bonuses (up to 40%) could be used to support higher-quality development, the visual tools helped build consensus among stakeholders and solidify policy language around sustainable growth, housing diversity, and long-term affordability.

The result was a more targeted, actionable General Plan—grounded in strong visuals that made abstract policy tangible and supported smarter, more community-aligned growth strategies.