S.L. policies too often penalize residents

Remember how convenient downtown Salt Lake City was until they decided to beautify it by widening the sidewalks, planting trees, and narrowing Main Street? Now, there's no need for wide sidewalks, because it's a hassle to go downtown. It isn't fun and it's not accessible. "Walkable neighborhoods" may be one of those trendy ideas that sounds good but has unintended consequences.

"Walkable neighborhoods" is a public policy that will challenge our city elected leaders to consider, closely, how it promotes the principles they seem to espouse — diversity, inclusiveness, equal opportunity.

It highlights how important it is for the city administration and city council to work together in creating a common vision and goals for the city. It could help them in adopting policies that complement each other and are focused toward a specific result.

Currently, it appears policies are considered in isolation, making it difficult for the public to understand how they promote the general good for the city.

It seems we are designing our city without taking into consideration the needs of more than 25 percent of the taxpaying householders, those 55 years and older.

How inclusive is a policy that excludes residents who cannot, or have a hard time, walking — those with a disability as well as older people. How does that promote diversity?

How does it promote safety? Many people, especially the elderly, feel unsafe walking in the evening; and unless there is a well-lighted and accessible parking area that is highly visible, they will stay home. How safe are "storefront" businesses when police have to chase criminals around back parking lots? Has anyone consulted with the police?

At a time when we are closing schools and losing young families with children because they cannot afford to pay the city's high taxes, the city is raising building fees. Families are fleeing to the suburbs where they can buy, or rent, a home they can afford. They are the potential consumers of businesses, the "walkables," yet we penalize them for trying to build or add on to their home.