I had intended to take a little break from the public input reform crusade today, but then this story shows up in one of our own local papers over the weekend!  So, I have to call attention to it.

This story is in the Trib, written by Tony Semarad, one of the few local journalists who really takes time to understand our local land use processes and the way our communities are growing and why.  This story, SLC’s push for more affordable housing runs into a wall of pushback, has as it’s subtitle teaser:

“I don’t feel this benefits anybody,” one resident complains, “except for real estate developers” as city strives to lower barriers to building more apartments, town homes, cottages and row houses.

Salt Lake City’s mayor and council are undertaking a reconsideration of the city’s land use rules, as well as other measures, in an attempt to encourage the creation of more affordable housing.  The public comment on these efforts has been, if anything, rather critical that the city is not doing more!  That’s a switch!  So in many ways this appears to run counter to the narrative that I’ve been building the last few posts about the problems with public input on land use issues.

But keep in mind this is Salt Lake City, which is high profile and arguably one of the most “liberal” bastions in our red state.  So there are lots of comments from the likes of university faculty, housing advocates, and low-income representatives.  And there’s still plenty to be concerned about.  From the story:

Some residents clearly fear otherwise, saying resulting construction could alter, fragment and even destroy the character of their communities, lower property values and worsen problems with on-street parking.

“We live in a beautiful neighborhood that has been planned and well-thought out,” said Ben Oveson, a homeowner in the 15th and 15th neighborhood. “This kind of sidesteps that and all that is kind of thrown out the window and we’re saying, ‘This doesn’t have value anymore.’ “

“I don’t feel this benefits anybody,” Oveson added, “except for real estate developers.”

And this:

“Many of the current homes have single-car driveways or do not have driveways,” said Brian Burnett, vice chairman of the Foothill-Sunnyside Community Council. “This proposal means more people fighting for street parking.

“Families seek out this area because of its character and zoning,” he added. The proposed changes “will discourage families from buying here.”

So while this is not as all-encompassing as much of what we see in other, smaller, more suburban communities, the public input issues are still there.