the future of affordable housing
Last week’s enactment by the Teton County commissioners of a moratorium on large developments effectively killed the proposal for Teton Meadows Ranch, which even the staunchest supporters admitted was less than ideal. So what’s the next step?
Come up with a better plan. Most disconcerting about the fight over Teton Meadows was the backlash against affordable housing in general. Now with the focus on drafting a new Comprehensive Plan for the town and county, the naysayers will be busy at the keyboard, trying to insert their language into the document.
For affordable housing advocates, it’s easy to be discouraged by the furor over Teton Meadows. But it’s more essential than ever to stay involved in the process. Tonight there’s a meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jackson campus of the Teton Science Schools (on Highway 22) where consultants will present scenarios for future development.
Showing up to these meetings and making your presence felt sends a message that the new plan won’t be shaped by a few. The easiest way to give input is to visit the Web site JacksonTetonPlan.com, where all documents are posted and comments will be accepted throughout the summer.
Most of the “vision” statements look pretty progressive and reasonable, from what I’ve read. But those who would slam the door on affordable housing will be looking to eliminate the density bonuses permitted under current regulations. These provisions are the only way that truly affordable housing can be built in town without a substantial government handout, and were crucial in building of the Housing Trust neighborhoods on East Kelly Street that have been lauded as such a success.
As long as all segments of the community are heard, perhaps the next proposal for working-class housing will be more palatable to all.
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May 20th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Here’s a comment from a friend who attended last week’s meeting:
“Thought you might want to mail your lists, again, and remind them of the new comp plan surveys online – these are different than the original surveys that were up this winter. This is where the public can provide feedback on what the planners have come back with, after the original surveys, public input, and meetings.
“I went last night, and can already see that as usual, the ‘no’s’ and ‘negatives’ are by far most of the commenters, both by voice and in writing where they were taking comment last night. In particular, there were only negative (and misinformed) comments about Housing, Growth, and Transportation. If our peers want to see progressive ideas represented in the feedback, and more importantly, progressive planning included in the end plan, they’re gonna have to get involved in this process!
http://www.jacksontetonplan.com/ Two links on left: “Town Sub Draft Plan…” and “Countywide Plan Maps and Policy…” each have separate surveys.
It does not matter whether you live in town or the county; each plan will affect the other. Anybody may comment on both.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
It’s a shame that I’ll come across as a naysayer, but in reality, our voices are neither heard nor honored in this so called public process, whichever topic you want to refer to here with local officials.
Jackson officials (and probably many or most other communities) have their own agenda, influenced ($+gifts) by far more power than wealthy tax payers, uninterested second homeowners, and trustfunder brats. Sure, we’re obligated to use the system and ‘try.’ Keep in mind all the meeting rooms overflowing with public comment regarding growth issues, like you said above, mostly negative. Now consider why our comp plan needs attention - because they never adhered to the current comp plan, even when the public asked them to!
Yes, go to the meetings. Get educated and involved. Figure out a way to outsmart this phoney system. More, more, more may not be the answer, though.