What is the role of government in helping solve our workforce housing shortage? Local government\u2019s greatest impact on housing cost is in regulating land use and building standards. Credit to our local governments for recognizing the need for locals housing.<\/p>\n
The fact is, government has a role and needs to be involved in housing. Government is involved in zoning, land use, density, and regulatory issues surrounding new developments of any type \u2013 including workforce housing. The lack of government funding for workforce housing projects puts the onus on private interests to build workforce housing. New developments \u2013 ranging from large scale to smaller proposals \u2013 have come forth throughout the valley; each requires give-and-take with local governments regarding density, zoning, parking requirements, and other factors.<\/p>\n
We should celebrate these projects and private developers for proposing projects that do not seek public funding. Instead, we often find land owners and developers villainized, proof positive that no good deed goes unpunished.<\/p>\n
Consider the most recent example: Vail Resorts recently announced it will seek to rezone a parcel of land they own in East Vail with the goal of developing a community workforce housing project that includes rental units and land to be preserved as open space.<\/p>\n
For those who might have missed it, Vail Resorts owns a 23.3-acre parcel north of Interstate 70 located at the East Vail exit. The unplatted parcel has been zoned since at least the early 1980s as Two Family Residential, one of the Town of Vail\u2019s duplex zone districts.<\/p>\n
The proposal by Vail Resorts would split the single, unplatted parcel into two parcels. One, the larger of the two, would be rezoned to Natural Area Preservation District, the Town\u2019s most restrictive zone district. The intent would be to maintain this approximately 17-acre parcel in its natural state.<\/p>\n
The western parcel would be rezoned to the Housing Zone District, the Town\u2019s zone district dedicated to deed-restricted, workforce housing development. Upon re-zoning, Vail Resorts will then attempt to secure a developer for a project on the land that would include some combination of seasonal and other workforce housing (a large portion of which would be leased by Vail Resorts).<\/p>\n
Collectively, we should be applauding and supporting our largest employer for taking a proactive role in addressing workforce housing for their employees \u2013 beyond the current nearly 1,500 beds it already owns or leases, and without any development obligation to do so. Yet sadly, we are already seeing NIMBYs pop up, including the Vail Homeowners Association, who are actively advocating against this project \u2013 by a private developer, on private land with zoning \u2013 showing that NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) attitudes need to be consistently combatted. Red herring complaints such as \u201cthe buses will be too crowded\u201d and \u201czoning for sale\u201d are used to incite the anti-everything crowd. All Vail Resorts is doing right now is seeking rezoning to allow for a developer to come in with a yet-to-be determined workforce housing plan for the site.<\/p>\n
Vail Valley Partnership, following the mission set forth by our board of governors, wants to ensure our community can remain competitive to keep locals local and to support our business community. Workforce and affordable housing has long been an issue in Eagle County. Addressing our workforce housing issue is essential to the continued success and growth of our community and our businesses across industry sectors.<\/p>\n
It is past time to band together to support common sense development and fight the NIMBY\u2019s who surround us.<\/p>\n