Ryan Dickey’s policies are a litany of feel-good touch points devoid of any planned solutions to our current problems or details as to what his vision will cost this community. His open check policies are well documented in his policy making.
In reality he’s a political wind-sniffer who changed his party allegiance to disguise his previous affiliation in an effort to align himself with the Park City liberal voters he needs.
He is supported in his campaign by property developers of projects he is currently supporting and it is worth noting that currently he is actively supporting no less than four of the most contentious overbuilt projects this town has seen without providing any studies or solutions to the existing traffic concerns of our local residents.
These projects include:
Clark Ranch — the “unaffordable housing project” that will involve the rezoning part of the 344 acres of land purchased by the city for open space. The original 10-acre site is now being pushed to 14 acres at a developer’s request that Dickey supported. “These tablets did not drop from heaven” he stated in his argument for breaking the current codes. If this goes ahead, what’s his next plan, break more of our open space codes and rezone the Armstrong Barn under the guise of more affordable housing, or maybe cut off a piece of Treasure Hill near Lowell and Empire? If it can happen at Clark Ranch whilst also ignoring the consequences to Park City Heights, then it could happen anywhere.
At 1500 Kearns Blvd. — this ridiculous and grandiose hotel development plan by one of Dickey’s key supporters involves increasing the current building from its present footprint to a massive 185,000 square feet. The Park City Planning Commission is considering this development that includes not only a huge hotel, but 13 units and 11,500 square feet of commercial space right on the most congested artery at Bonanza and Kearns.
On the 5+ Acre Site, again on the Kearns Boulevard and Bonanza intersection, Dickey has voted to change the proposed arts district (originally purchased to house Sundance, Kimball and “transit solutions”) into even more housing, once again in the most congested area of our town.
The North Marsac Hotel Plan (Deer Valley Drive and Swede Alley) — Dickey was the City Council’s liaison to the committee that conceptually calls for it to be developed into a six-story hotel on the city-owned land with 650 rooms. This high density development plan in the heart of Old Town that Dickey was instrumental in creating would put forward a massive redevelopment throughout Marsac and Swede Alley, discarding all consideration of our current codes and planning limitations. It would dwarf the most historically sensitive part of our town and adds zero parking — yes, zero additional parking! In fact, it would also remove hundreds of existing parking stalls. I understand Dickey has refused to discuss with local business owners how the 250-plus businesses would survive this plan.
Then lastly, it is worth noting that Dickey is the council liaison for the Engine House project now commonly known as “The Prison,” a much-derided project led by another of his election supporters. This appears to have turned into another taxpayer-funded open checkbook partnership with his favored developer. Their benefit is again at our increasing expense.
These projects could only add to the congestion and traffic that has already fractured the community, yet Ryan Dickey provides no transit, no parking and no master planning, only his unbridled support to the developers and their projects.
Andrew Morphett
Park City