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Show WASATCH MOUNTAIN TIMES Unbridled Growth Exacts a High Price By Leslie Miller yeas is nothing like unbridled growth. It sprawls, it consumes, it tips the scales of community balance. Yet, it is amazing that Utahns somehow equate the “boom” phenomenon with a higher standard of living. For instance, did Lehi officials calculate all the increased cost of ( educating the additional children of Micron employees when they provided the giant corporation with an guarantees that the farmer’s son can not afford to stay in the town his grandparents settled. While part-time city councils and commissions in rural Utah towns and countryside approve thousands of units of housing development, they do not consider the real costs to their constituents that accompanies that consent. The new urban dwellers will want parks and libraries and other amenities that don’t come cheaply. The townsfolk will expect police exemption protection, from paying into the pub- lic school fund? Maybe they did and maybe they didn’t. But a maneuver like that means one thing and one thing only — higher property taxes. The local Lehi resident may be touting greater employment opportunities today, but tomorrow he'll be complaining about the loss of educational opportunities for his children and the price it costs to maintain that standard — whether or not it is a lower-than-average stan- dard If a community wants to lose its future generation of farmers, then allowing residential buildout to quickly sprawl into and fill up agricultural pastures is acceptable. It may also mean that people like teachers, may not firefighters be able and to stay policemen and pay the steep price that will come with skyrocketing property values and the skyrocketing property taxes that come with Boom them. communities, by necessity, will see tax increases to pay for new infrastructures and public services. The rate at which MAIN this will STREET accom occur water and adequate smooth supplies roads with of side- impacts from unregulated growth and expansion. Park City has been in its latest boom cycle for five years and only now is willing to even discuss the rate of growth. By the time a program is implemented to do something, small though it may be, it could n be another the forced ‘war in live — dust, all the and The non-stop that include growth as the But sion. growth destroys once the end, more desirable places will be sought out. The boom will go bust and residents may be left paying mortgages the € are well above the new-but-lower value of their property. On the other hand, if taxes are increased needs, swiftly long-time to meet residents all the may be that economic can happen towns without understand measures most will resort in their that nightly park rooms rentals city, and in utah resources and of what about the towns like Moab They understand can If the experience and shattered by imagination rest has of been Utah. and to recover Call for application lost, what What about 406-995-5821 Midway? FRAME bY Tt Me and a | More FLAT RABBET FRAMING Bios 421 7 very Beat the crowds and be with a rapidly growing resort that’s going to the top of America’s most vertical feet. Big Sky Ski & Summer Resort in Montana is hiring for the ski season: lift ops, cashiers, food service, hotel staff. its becomes Main Street ¢ Park City 649-2155 value price for all be MONTANA our place of valley. as CAN'T EAT IT... PAGE rate they of this prosperity indeed. @ ambitions to expand, what will Park City, or any other resort, have left to sell? Although Park City may have the 1-800-649-4498 RESERVATIONS the what Affordable ‘home preventa- to monitor the fiscal and emotional “home.’ is to protect factor of the and growth concern sense town, lifestyle some / around what Utah They growth unrestrained consequences. of the mountain residential All this assumes that local governments will move quickly to meet the needs and problems of our new developments. But bureaucracies are slow to respond to the pressures and healthy citizens look has threatens is lost, forced away by the expense of rapid growth. understand to have controls. And for communities like Park City, this situation can have serious essence sense initiative The effort unrestrained No, our to call your of more greatest of growth And amount ballot. this residents is hard rate and is one of place — new if the con- expense this growth exceeds the community’s ability to keep up with services, in B: a noise, construction, from that Unrestrained with long-time there those details in their endless cheerleading for new growth and expan- call inconvenience increasing comes sense they a growth organized common tive are has its November it many away. what other with well years residents construction that comes driven or three congested traffic have to to zone’ must be services simple leaders forgotten time, struction walks. These municipal services purchased with taxes. Added means added taxes, it’s that Yet our political and business somehow two mean Midway on who IT! high |