How is the flow of traffic in Park City when driving on the major streets?
And is growth in Park City planned well?
City Hall is conducting the National Community Survey, and the municipal government in the questionnaire inquires about a series of topics that drive the day-to-day discourse of Park City. The survey covers numerous issues related to subjects like living in Park City, the local economy and municipal services.
The timing is notable with there being a sense of uneasiness in the community about issues like the impact of the tourism industry, the affordability of Park City, and traffic. Those sorts of issues have for years been concerning to many Parkites, but the worries have appeared magnified since the early months of the pandemic.
The survey questions themselves are also notable as some of them are focused on the topics that have led to so much of the discontent. There are questions that are geared to learn about someone’s opinion of quality of life in Park City while others delve into the business community and diversity.
The answers to a series of questions related to traffic and growth could be especially telling. The topics have been worrisome to Parkites for decades. Longtime residents lament the loss of undeveloped land over the years while they and the newcomers question the amount of traffic in Park City.
The survey inquires about ratings for “Well-planned” residential and commercial growth as well as “Well-designed neighborhoods.” Other questions that will likely elicit important responses include topics like the housing variety in the community, the “Availability of affordable quality housing” and the “overall quality of new development in Park City.”
Some of the other topics the survey asks people to rate include air quality, recreational opportunities, “Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool,” the sense of pride in the community and “Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds.”
Ratings are also sought for municipal services like traffic enforcement, street repair, drinking water, law enforcement and the library.
Another key question asks about ratings for the performance of the municipal government as it relates to a variety of measures. They include:
• “The value of services for the taxes paid to Park City.”
• “The overall direction that Park City is taking.”
• “Overall confidence in Park City government.”
• “Generally acting in the best interest of the community.”
City Hall in one question wants to learn how someone rates the quality of services provided by the municipal government and the federal government.
Another question centers on issues people see as important for the next two years.
A broad economic question could also be telling amid the national and international worries about the prospects of a recession. The question asks about the impact of the economy on someone’s family income over the coming six months.
“The National Community Survey is an important tool to gauge how we are performing across the board as a municipality for our residents,” Mayor Nann Worel said in a prepared statement released by City Hall. “Resident participation is essential to helping our team to identify, reaffirm, and evaluate priorities for Park City going forward. Your time and input are much appreciated.”
The survey is scheduled to close on Jan. 11. Results are expected to be made public in March. The survey is available on the City Hall website, www.parkcity.org. The direct link to survey information is: https://www.parkcity.org/Home/Components/News/News/41483/23. The survey is available in English and Spanish.