Inland Mess
The inland port development continues to be messy. Utah's AG weighs in on its medical cannabis future. Plus, a Utah homebuilder tries to change the affordable narrative?
By Katharine Biele @kathybiele
Inland Mess
Well, uh, thanks. Yes, Salt Lake City does believe that you, Derek Miller, know what's good for us and all will be well. At least that's what you're saying now as opposition to the self-contradictory inland port grows. Miller is trying the olive branch technique, saying it might be time for the Legislature to revisit Salt Lake's role in the "port," according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Like, sure, the Legislature will be just fine with that—like they were with the new prison, the city's watershed, billboards, golf courses, the Legacy Highway and even plastic bags. Fox 13 even went to Kansas to show how great their inland port was doing, and found that it was just dandy for businesses, not so much for residents. And, oh yeah, Kansas is flat and windy and doesn't have to deal with wetland and pollution issues like Salt Lake's. The city council is trying to be diplomatic, but outgoing Mayor Jackie Biskupski is telling it like it is. The majority in charge of the state thinks of Salt Lake as a pile of rubbish.
Up in Smoke
Hard to believe, but Utah's attorney general just signed on with 38 other states seeking access to the federal banking system for, wait for it, the marijuana industry. No, Utah isn't going to be the pot capital of the nation, but it is acknowledging an increasing acceptance of the medicinal benefits of this non-opioid substance. A Utah Policy report notes that many marijuana businesses use cash only, and AG Sean Reyes said that poses a threat to public safety. We'll call this an incremental step. City Weekly's Utah Cann conference helped bring the issue into focus, despite the recent eviscerating of Proposition 2. Meanwhile, The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is shortening licensure for growers. It's not the end of the story. The Trib says the state just contracted with a problematic software company to track the program.
Salt Lake's Ivory Tower
Not to be too snarky, but Ivory Homes wants to look at more affordable housing options? Why do we think that Alpine is blanketed with Stepford-like developments housing Utah's incoming population? But now, in the face of a recent study that showed home prices rising 14 percent last year—almost twice the national average—Clark Ivory is vowing to turn the tide, according to the Trib. Ivory is looking at more townhouses, multi-family dwellings and smaller-lot homes in the future. Indeed, that's likely to be the trend whether communities like Cottonwood like it or not. Ivory is probably hoping for some good PR, despite his name already being all over developments and centers throughout the state.
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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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