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Affordable housing elusive in Park City
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Housing deal for teachers? | 7:44 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008
I graduated from Park City twelve yes ago and even then new teachers
weren't able to live in PC. This situation didn't sneak up ok anyone,
yet I haven't seen any reasonable action taken to offer teachers a housing
deal or lottery for living on PC. What would it take to set up some sort of
program so that teachers can buy a partially subsidized home? I'm ignorant,
so please educate me.
who cares | 10:21 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008
I can't believe I still subscribe to this Newspaper! With everything that
is going on in the world, the headlines are about affordable housing in a
tourist trap that long ago lost it's quaint image of a mountain mining
town. Basically who cares? The rich have to live somewhere.
I guess I'm ignorant too... | 10:24 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008
It seems to me that what's driving the current housing market is greed,
pure and simple. The pervailing wisdom that "I'm going to get
what's mine, no matter the costs (social, economic, religious, family,
etc.)", is pure selfishishness. Of course I'm in agreement that
honest people should get what's fair for their property, but so many have
made their fortunes on buying and selling property at outrages prices that it
has made us as a society lazy and way over indulgent. It creates an upper class
that looks down on others in a condenscending way, although they have no right
or justification for doing so. They expect and demand things now that would have
been laughed at and thought of ridiculous 10 years ago. This type of attitude is
not healthy for society. It's brought us to the point we are now where very
few people can afford housing and many are in debt to the point that it's
an epidemic. Something has to give.
Comments continue below
taxes | 11:28 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008
Goof balls who live in Park City: tell your school districts to vote for a levy
to give teachers more $. Then the problem disappears.
Dave | 11:40 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008
"It seems to me that what's driving the current housing market is
greed, pure and simple."
It's not called "greed". It's called living in a society with a free market system governed by supply and demand. Are you greedy because you demand the same salary as others in your profession and with your experience - the salary determined by market demand for your services?
It's not called "greed". It's called living in a society with a free market system governed by supply and demand. Are you greedy because you demand the same salary as others in your profession and with your experience - the salary determined by market demand for your services?
"Free Market?" | 12:29 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
You are sadly ignorant if you believe that this is the result of free market
conditions. When planning boards purposely restrict the construction of
apartments, multi family housing, and other affordable housing options in an
already affluent area then of course only the rich will be able to live there.
It's no accident - it's snobbery and yes even greed.
Please don't preach about supply and demand when you yourself don't understand it - this is a case where local government is limiting the supply.
Please don't preach about supply and demand when you yourself don't understand it - this is a case where local government is limiting the supply.
Give Me the Free Market | 12:31 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
Dave is wrong, and I guess I'm ignorant too,,, is right!
What has been going on is NOT the free market system, and is not our constitutional system.
The FED has blown up bubble after bubble, grossly distorting the free market. Greed IS a big part of this but that greed was ENABLED by the FED and the corrupt banking system.
Well it's all unraveling now. It would have already unravelled but for massive manipulation by congress, the FED, Treasury.
Dave would be we right if our system was a truly free market, but currently it is not.
What has been going on is NOT the free market system, and is not our constitutional system.
The FED has blown up bubble after bubble, grossly distorting the free market. Greed IS a big part of this but that greed was ENABLED by the FED and the corrupt banking system.
Well it's all unraveling now. It would have already unravelled but for massive manipulation by congress, the FED, Treasury.
Dave would be we right if our system was a truly free market, but currently it is not.
Just wait.... | 1:08 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
When immigration cracks down, you'll find more woes in Park City than the
price of housing. Try getting someone from down the hill to go up to Park City
for housekeeping or landscaping. Price adjustments will make living in Park
City even more elusive to many. It will be the downfall of the greedy...heehee
Hollywood | 1:27 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
So if only the affluent can afford to live in PC, then up the property taxes in
order to pay the teachers and city workers more.
Those who want to stay will pay more. Those that don't can move their families to a cheaper area. And for those that continue to commute, that is their choice. They can apply for a job in another school district if they choose. They aren't being forced at gunpoint to teach/work in Park City.
Those who want to stay will pay more. Those that don't can move their families to a cheaper area. And for those that continue to commute, that is their choice. They can apply for a job in another school district if they choose. They aren't being forced at gunpoint to teach/work in Park City.
housing deal ( me again) | 1:43 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
Folks,
The point of the article is that Park City is, as it were, deficient in certain vitamins. It's been growing at an alarming rate, but has not taken care to ensure that it can sustain itself. Some act as if it's the teachers asking for hand-outs, which us not the case. Rather, it's the city that needs to ensure that it's worth it to teach there. PC is VERY proud of their academics, comparing themselves to the best and bigger schools in the state. If they want to remain that way, they need to do what they can to attract the best teachers. As an alumnus, I'd like to see a good academic tradition continue and think one way to get good teachers is to make it worth it to them. Why doesn't supply (which is diminishing) and demand of teachers follow the same economic rules?
The point of the article is that Park City is, as it were, deficient in certain vitamins. It's been growing at an alarming rate, but has not taken care to ensure that it can sustain itself. Some act as if it's the teachers asking for hand-outs, which us not the case. Rather, it's the city that needs to ensure that it's worth it to teach there. PC is VERY proud of their academics, comparing themselves to the best and bigger schools in the state. If they want to remain that way, they need to do what they can to attract the best teachers. As an alumnus, I'd like to see a good academic tradition continue and think one way to get good teachers is to make it worth it to them. Why doesn't supply (which is diminishing) and demand of teachers follow the same economic rules?
Amazing | 1:52 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
There are few places, I least want to live than Park City. If you are paying
over a million why not go for a decent climate? If you can afford a million
dollar home, you can afford to ski anywhere. You can still live were no one
knows what a snow shovel is used for. Give me Santa Barbara and a sailboat.
Affordable? | 2:10 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
Where is there affordable housing anywhere?
You can go out to 1 million west and 1 million south and houses are still $400,000+! I feel really bad for people a few years younger than I didn't get into a house 5+ years ago. No more can a descent house with a good location be found for under $200,000. Think about it, a quarter million for just a standard 50's rambler is now cheap.
With other prices going up and up, I don't know how people can afford it now. Anyway, this problem isn't just unique to Park City. If it were just PC, this would be a non-issue.
You can go out to 1 million west and 1 million south and houses are still $400,000+! I feel really bad for people a few years younger than I didn't get into a house 5+ years ago. No more can a descent house with a good location be found for under $200,000. Think about it, a quarter million for just a standard 50's rambler is now cheap.
With other prices going up and up, I don't know how people can afford it now. Anyway, this problem isn't just unique to Park City. If it were just PC, this would be a non-issue.
Belgie | 2:25 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
I feel so bad for all the rich people in Park City with nobody to educate their
children. I guess they'll all have to hire live-in tutors.
Anonymous | 3:02 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
Residents of Park City, it sounds like it's time for Deer Valley's
Mitt Romney to step up to the plate and organize another fund raising dinner.
This time collect the same $70,000 per couple, but give the money to the
teachers instead of the republicans.
Red Smith | 4:17 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
The idle rich should do their own work. boo woo
kathyn | 4:26 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
This is just my 2 cents worth, but I find most housing unaffordable anymore.
The newer houses are far from modest in size. We raised our six kids in a home
less with than 2000 square feet. Somehow we made it work.
I see the problem being that everything is costing more and more because the dollar is worth less and less. I honestly don't see how anyone can afford a new house these days.
I see the problem being that everything is costing more and more because the dollar is worth less and less. I honestly don't see how anyone can afford a new house these days.
Judy | 5:52 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
It isn't like Heber and Kamas and even Jeremy's Canyon are on the
moon. Low wage employees can hardly ever live in expensive enclaves. Of
course, the houses in Park City are empty most of the year so the place is a
modern ghost town much of the year.
Anon. | 7:45 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
It is true that there is virtually no affordable housing in the Salt Lake Valley
either. Apartments are at about 95-98% occupancy, and rents are sky-high. As
others have indicated, houses are still out of reach. I teach in the Salt Lake
Valley, have 26 years of experience and a master's degree, and make in the
mid-50's. If you think anyone can get housing on that income, think again.
I live in a basement apartment. Our blessed legislature thinks it's better
to split a well-functioning school district and double everyone's taxes
than to keep things the way they are and provide a living wage for teachers. Go
figure. Oh, yes, you needed a math teacher to teach you enough to "go
figure."
subscribe2view | 11:48 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008
I lived in Park City for nearly 10 years. There is no section 8 housing. I have
moved to a better more normal place with more Normal people. Normal Illinois. Be
liberal with your substance.
Parkite | 9:47 a.m. Aug. 4, 2008
Judy is correct. All small resort towns have a work force that drives in - Park
City is lucky to have Heber, Kamas etc. SO CLOSE!!
Folks working in Telluride have to drive at least three times as far, or CAMP!!
PS: The anti-PC comments must be coming from Salt Lakers - now THAT'S my idea of hell.
Folks working in Telluride have to drive at least three times as far, or CAMP!!
PS: The anti-PC comments must be coming from Salt Lakers - now THAT'S my idea of hell.
Pat | 1:37 p.m. Aug. 4, 2008
I`m one of the idiot tourists who wasted our $$ in Park City!! THE rudest place
we can remember. We would never return. Even soured us on Utah. We "spread
the word" wherever possible!
Treasure Mountain Inn couldnt have been nastier when we requested a TV that actually worked! Friends at Best Western Motel were disgusted with the mgr`s snotty lack of concern about broken glass in the parking area.... THEN the ticket-takers on a pony ride refused to return the cost of tickets we purchased for one of our children who became ill and could not do the ride..... even though we talked to them 4 hrs prior to the ride.
What a snotty city! Enjoy it, residents!
Treasure Mountain Inn couldnt have been nastier when we requested a TV that actually worked! Friends at Best Western Motel were disgusted with the mgr`s snotty lack of concern about broken glass in the parking area.... THEN the ticket-takers on a pony ride refused to return the cost of tickets we purchased for one of our children who became ill and could not do the ride..... even though we talked to them 4 hrs prior to the ride.
What a snotty city! Enjoy it, residents!
Richard | 7:50 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008
The citizens of Park City have offered the City Council a Win-Win way to provide
Affordable Housing to 60 families and still maintain the Open Space of the
meadow inside of Wetlands. The City Council is not listening to the people who
want to keep the land as Open Space and have offered a method to provide 60
families with Affordable Housing vs. the 13 families the cities is trying to
assist.
This makes no sense. What is wrong with this picture? Help 13 families and ruin the meadow inside of Wetlands; endanger animals; go against the wishes of the people who voted for a bond to support Open Space when they can help 60 families for the same amount of money?
Additionally, the teachers, fire fighters, nurses, paramedics, street workers have not been surveyed to find out if they'd rather live in the proposed tenement housing or be offered assistance to live anywhere of their choice in the community.
The City Council needs to listen to the people, save the animals, save the meadow inside of the wetlands, AND still be able to assist 60 families vs. 13 families.
Do you see something wrong with this picture?
This makes no sense. What is wrong with this picture? Help 13 families and ruin the meadow inside of Wetlands; endanger animals; go against the wishes of the people who voted for a bond to support Open Space when they can help 60 families for the same amount of money?
Additionally, the teachers, fire fighters, nurses, paramedics, street workers have not been surveyed to find out if they'd rather live in the proposed tenement housing or be offered assistance to live anywhere of their choice in the community.
The City Council needs to listen to the people, save the animals, save the meadow inside of the wetlands, AND still be able to assist 60 families vs. 13 families.
Do you see something wrong with this picture?
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