Reader comments
Supreme Court sides with Draper, UTA on referendum

So the people of Draper have no vote. Perfect the UTA gets what they want and blocks anyone from voting against it. Sounds like America to me?.

Um, you haven't been hoodwinked when the Supreme Court says that's the law.

You bought homes with a railroad track right behind them and never thought a train would go down the track? Maybe you were hoodwinked by the realtor that sold you the place...

I just have one thing to say to the elites in Draper...NEENER NEENER NEENER!!! See you on TRAX!

I have lived in Draper since 1979 and it's been a 'black-hole' for public transportation. It's about time to get light-rail in our backyards. I can't wait!

So nice to see NIMBYism loose to common sense. Most old time Draperites are happy to see TRAX comeing, it is only the New Draperites who think they are too good for transit trying to stop it.

To No Vote: Actually the citizens of the county voted for more TRAX lines so you had your vote. You voted for your city council members and mayor to make those kinds of decisions. If you don't the decisions they make run for office yourself.

The people in Draper have been bent over time and time again. When I moved to Draper the city said they could would not build beyond the railroad tracks. People do not have a voice. How many times did the stadium in Sandy get voted on? The first time it failed. Why would you need another vote? The government will do what they want regardless. They will keep pushing until what they want happens. Up with hope down with government.CORRUPTION!

I for one am excited to get trax out here. As another commenter posted Draper is black-hole for transportation. Think of all the senior citizens in this area it's great for them. It also allows those who work in this area an alternative transportation option so we can all save gas help the environment, and eliminate congestion. WOOO HOOO Now we just need light rail out in West Jordan all the way to Bacchus Highway.

The UTA's plan for public transportation has made Salt Lake City a shining example for other cities. It's a good thing that they won't let a few elitists in Draper stand in their way. While they can afford their big SUV's they would want to deny others the option of good public transportation.

I agree that Trax and bus service sorely needs extension into the south of the valley, including Draper, West and South Jordan, Riverton and Herriman. These are the fastest growing population areas. Businesses are flocking there. Traffic congestion is becoming one of those Utah nightmares. As the population in those areas ages (matures) and more teenage drivers enter the picture the situation will only worsen. One doesn't have to look far to see how traffic planners don't keep up. And then there is the price of fuel! Mass transit (trax and bus) is the answer for all societal, economic, safety, and environmental reasons. To the "new rich", "live beyond your means", elite in Draper - there is nothing wrong with driving your BMW to a Trax park and ride lot and commuting downtown.

I may be confused, some of you may even have that opinion from some of my other comments, but with gas above $4/gallon and going nowhere but up, I'd think close proximity to light rail would increase property value. I believe it adds about $250M to values homes in Arlington, VA close to metro stops over similar homes further away.

That being said, I am opposed to disenfranchising voters. I'd like to know how the individual members of the court voted, but I guess a complete story is too much to ask of a newspaper that is cutting back.

Actually they did get a chance to vote in a city election where a bunch of the NIMBY's ran on the CRT platform.

Utah is a joke when it comes to transit authority. I moved here from Denver receintly. Everyone jokes that Utah was the test subject to other cities on how to run lines. In Denver we ran our lines with the freeways to avoid stopping traffic. Utah's officials are not bright!

To "lost in DC": voters were not disenfranchised on this issue. The existing lines have been owned by UTA for a long time and use of them was part of their master plan. The city council approved their plan to do what they (UTA) already had a right to do. County wide (including Draper) voters approved funding for mass transit expansion. Draper voters approved in council elections and ballot questions UTA related issues. Disgruntled groups organized, tried to petition to get votes overturned, and were rebuffed at every step along the way. What has happened is the working of the democratic system. But as always there are those who say "no fair" because they didn't get their way. You raise an excellent point about the appreciation of property values; something many of those disgruntled should consider. But in the end they probably won't have to, because they are living beyond their means as it is and their homes will probably go into foreclosure like many others in Utah soon anyway. Even elite Draperites are not immune from economic realities.

To Joke: Actually running along freeways is about the worse way to run a light rail line. Denver did because they had no choice but they loose riders because it is so difficult to get to and from the stations.

Isn't amazing that those on the East side cry foul when they don't get to vote on a TRAX line, but feel no sympathy for those on the West side when they had no voice in the vote on the School District split.

Who in draper will ride trax? Run it along the free way where people that actually take pub trans(ie lower income, "ecomonically minded people") horrible choice for location.

It's time to put this to bed. No elite realtors whining about the light-rail coming into their neighborhood, bringing gangs, less desirables, and (gasp) west-siders into Draper! Heaven forbid! You might actually have to share your town with the rest of us. When you do, you'll find we spend money and contribute to your economy, paying your sons and daughters wages in all the commercial development along 12300 South. And those who want to travel to the area to go hiking in the mountains will have an easier way to get there than fighting through all the two lane roads that inhabit your fair city.

To Joke: Denver is not regarded as a shining light of public transit, while TRAX is considered one of the best examples of well-designed and well-used public transit. As jmdspk pointed out, running the line next to the freeway is one of the last options. UTA's proposed route was actually well-thought and will provide a viable transit route in a region and through a corridor that has previously been ignored.

So, are these the same Draper "Not in my backyard" people who wouldn't allow a Deseret Industries in their city, but welcomed a temple?

I like being close to TRAX, but I don't live in Draper.

Utah Supreme Court decision or no, "elite" community or no ("elite" as a perjorative is used by haters, btw - y'all wish you could afford a home there), there's no problem with a community voting to decide what happens there!

Why is UTA so insistent on running a line to a place with such mixed support? Who's the line for, anyway? Draper or UTA? I'm sure there are other communities that would love to have a TRAX line nearby and likely be more likely to use and PAY for it!

Our public transit is behaving more like a private enterprise would with its land. Odd, given that customers aren't going to come just because you build it. Draper is low-density, upper-income residential. Residents are more likely able to shoulder the burden of rising gas prices. I don't see the benefits - not just $$ - being commensurate, much less outweighing the cost of the line.