Observers ponder meaning of Osprey Creek rejection

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

By Ben Cannon

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Since the Teton County Board of Commissioners voted down Osprey Creek housing development last week, some have questioned the board’s commitment to creating affordable housing, an issue commissioners have identified as a priority both at public meetings and even during some bids for office.

The proposal by property owner Jamie MacKay sought 74 homes on 15 acres off of Teton Village Road. Approval would have allowed a development some 15 times denser than what the property is currently zoned for, and would have created 36 deed-controlled, affordable homes, and set aside two market homes for employees with an additional six kept aside for local workers.

But since the application came under review, a number of vocal residents  criticized it for its density and threats to wildlife and traffic. At public meetings, opponents significantly outnumbered supporters who expressed the plight of working class residents trying to make a living in Jackson Hole.

Now both opponents and proponents are using the decision to paint a picture of a county commission that either does or does not support affordable housing. While there has not been and there will not likely be any real political fallout from the board’s vote, which would have provided for the county up to $7 million of deed-restricted affordable housing, disappointment or satisfaction at Osprey Creek’s death knell probably signifies just one thing: People interpret events wildly differently.

“They all speak about affordable housing all the time,” said MacKay, “but when it’s right in front of them and they’re voting on it, it’s too bad that a few neighbors can sway the commissioners so drastically.”

Neighbors warned the board that the development would impact the character of an area where most homes (except the dense Millward affordable housing development adjacent to MacKay’s land) sit on more than one acre. “Preservation” is the mantle under which groups such as Save Historic Jackson Hole protested Osprey Creek.

“If Save Historic Jackson Hole is so adamant on preserving historic Jackson, they should look at the fact that when people moved here they were working class people,” MacKay said. “Jackson’s community and character is working class people.”

Another new, loosely organized group, Don’t Let the Hole Lose Its Soul, whose organizer declined to identify himself on record, has collected over 600 signatures on an informal petition. It articulates simply, if somewhat cryptically, “Don’t Let the Hole Lose Its Soul.” The slogan is purportedly understood to help coalesce a movement of people aligning themselves with similar values, chief among them opposition to dense developments in the county.

Housing Authority director Christine Walker, whose professional charge it is to promote and oversee affordable housing in Teton County, said the Osprey Creek vote could ignite support of more affordable housing.

“People are surprised because they thought affordable housing was a major issue in this community,” Walker said. “But I think they’re energized to actually speak about affordable housing with the realization it’s going to take more than the effort they put forth here.”

But last week’s vote surely didn’t hurt Save Historic Jackson Hole. Though he could not be reached by phone Monday, Louis Wang, who chairs the group, circulated a letter to the editor this week that seemed to endorse the idea of affordable housing, but suggested it be kept in town. Wang’s letter also said the affordable housing planned unit development designation (AH-PUD) is a “poorly written piece of legislation” that “corrupts developer profit motive.” He suggested “adjusting or eliminating” the PUD.
As development and affordable housing issues continue to permeate local politics, Osprey Creek represents no sea change and does not necessarily reflect the future of local affordable housing, according to Board Chairman Andy Schwartz.

“What that decision means is that application at that location was not appropriate,” Schwartz said. “We are going to continue to create affordable housing in Teton County … You can’t define community character by density; we’re going to lose our soul if we don’t have a workforce here.”

Schwartz said the ongoing joint town and county Comprehensive Plan update will help identify areas appropriate for dense affordable housing.

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Observers ponder meaning of Osprey Creek rejection | Planet JH News Article: Development

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