In July, a Public Forum letter pointed out that the large number of developers in our state Legislature results in a very pro-landlord stance in Utah law. It also pointed out that the result is housing insecurity for many.
A Sep. 6 article in The New York Times outlined how developers see our city as prime territory, with the building of mainly luxury housing contributing to homelessness. One local developer was quoted as stating, “We are just like Austin, but we are seven or eight years behind.” Well, maybe most of us don’t want to be like Austin! It really upsets me that many of our children and grandchildren can barely afford to live here, where they grew up.
It’s time to be vigilant, because now developers, not sated with their dominance at the state level, are coming for your Salt Lake City Council. In District 6, one challenger serves as a principal in a development group, while the other challenger’s father is involved in multiple major development projects, one of which (Trolley Square) will likely require variances from the council. It is hard to imagine how this would play out for the City Council, with members constantly recusing themselves from decisions but still having undue access and influence on other Council members.
It seems clear that the development community is trying to do to Salt Lake City what it has done to the state Legislature: wield outsize influence by funding and coordinating with major developers and their families. Residents should look closely at who is running and whose interests they will represent.
Thea Brannon, Salt Lake City
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