Development company explores creation of new city at Kimball Junction.
Hits & Misses
By Katharine Biele @kathybiele
Miss: From Scratch
Utah is all about development and developers. So it's not crazy to think we soon might have a "city" run by a development company. That's happening in Summit County, where Dakota Pacific Real Estate is petitioning to incorporate as a "preliminary municipality on 47 acres near the Skullcandy building in Kimball Junction." Eventually, it could become a new town—in this case "Park City Tech"—and do everything "real" towns can, like establish zoning and land-use policies. The Summit County Council seems supportive, and a few county residents are proposing to put a referendum up for a vote. Of course, this is happening because the Legislature made a law to create this type of "preliminary municipality." Some citizens are up in arms and trying to overturn the Council. Meanwhile, the state's supermajority Legislature leans heavily toward business owners, executives, attorneys and those who work in finance or real estate. In fact, the Senate President and House Speaker have backgrounds in real estate development. Citizens are just background noise.
Miss: Content Warning
We wouldn't want to make anyone "uncomfortable," would we? Utah already decided women's rights are totally up to the largely-male Legislature, because they know what they want. Take abortion—they just see it as murder. An abortion ban is on hold while the court considers the implications, but that hasn't stopped legislators from being horrified by the very thought of abortion. A Salt Lake Tribune report recently noted that Layton Republican Rep. Trevor Lee was upset by an ad in the Legislative Guide, published outside the Legislature and largely funded by independent groups since 2004. The guide has provided the public with information about lawmakers and how to contact them. Far be it from the Legislature to give the public good information. Planned Parenthood has had ads in the guide for many years, but it must have been the big pink ad that so offended Mr. Lee. It won't be available at the Capitol this year.
Hit: Ripple Effects
While Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem helps to round up millions of hapless immigrants, the repercussions of mass deportation are starting to come into focus. A study led by a University of Utah professor warns of the economic threats, but whether Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will care is anyone's guess. Cox has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, offering up local law enforcement to get those undocumented people gone. "If you commit crimes—I don't care if they're violent or nonviolent—you should not be here," Cox said in December. The U's study, however, warns of the loss of affordable housing and, of course, the labor that goes with it. The publication Foreign Policy suggests that the effect will be devastating as we send away some 5% of the U.S. workforce from industries like agriculture, construction and leisure and hospitality. C
About The Author
Katharine Biele
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
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