Tony Semerad's housing density article underscores the need for Utahns to proactively shape, rather than blithely oppose, development.
Rising house prices are due to decades of birthrates at least 36 percent higher than the national average, creating significant regional family ties, and business-accommodative policies that are leading to greater industry clustering. This increases land productivity, meaning that leaders just can’t ship spoiled vistas and traffic jams to a less-developed area of the state and remain viable.
A more diverse mix of homes will better ensure that living costs can be affordable for new parents, public service providers, retirees and families of all sizes. This desired outcome is almost always more feasible before land is subdivided into single-family homes on large lots and better allows the valley to “live within [its] means” from a land-use perspective.
Sustained opposition to denser residential development will not work because it does not address underlying demand for housing in the region. Instead, it likely will lead to increasingly income-stratified neighborhoods and higher property taxes and will constrain the ability of businesses to attract and retain junior, lower-paid staff. Utah’s pro-family, pro-business ethos requires a pro-density mindset in order to be sustainable.
Tyler Cole, Virginia
