Bennett said he was surprised to see cities like Payson and West Point make the first cut of Quality Growth Communities because smaller communities tend to have a harder time garnering resources to create a city plan. But Bennett said many smaller communities have taken their growth challenges to heart and are addressing them head-on.

Bennett said he expected larger cities like Salt Lake City to make the list because city leaders are constantly having to redraw master plans to adjust to growth and changing needs.

But Bennett added there are many cities in Utah still lacking the resources or will to make planning a priority.

"Some communities have chosen to grow in a way that's probably not sustainable in the long run," he said. "Whatever kind of community you are, you still need to plan."

The Quality Growth Communities are Summit County, Tooele County, Carbon County, Salt Lake City, American Fork, Murray, Midvale, West Valley City, Sandy, Provo, West Jordan, Riverton, Draper, Payson, West Point, Roy, Orem, the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District and the Utah Transit Authority.

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