Deaf ears? (original) (raw)

I’ve been reading letters to the editor, guest editorials, “More Dogs on Main Street” and variety of public commentary addressing present day issues that are the hot topics de jour. It’s refreshing to know so many residents have thoughts and ideas that they’re willing to share with others. I sense that many contributors hope that their input will make a difference. In my mind this raises questions such as “who’s listening or reading” and “will my opinion make any difference?”

The issues that concern me most are ski area development and local government. Most recently, attention has focused on the lift upgrade project at Park City Mountain Resort Village. Many letters to the Park Record and a recent piece by Jay Hamburger that condenses the controversy that began in 2022, when the lifts arrived after receiving administrative approval from the city.

That approval was later challenged, and the lifts were sent to Whistler Blackcomb. Installation was halted when a group of concerned citizens questioned whether the approval process complied with code and proper procedure.

The citizens prevailed, and although Vail Resorts sued Park City Municipal, the courts — including the Utah Court of Appeals — upheld the motion and stay brought by Angela Moschetta, Clive Bush, Mark Stemler, Deb Rentfro, Dana Williams, and others.

Now we are back where we started, and the lifts are moving forward again. In my view, no entity has the right to bypass established process. Whether you agreed with the work stoppage or the move to Whistler, the citizens involved deserve credit for defending the community’s interests, our rights, and due process.

Now that the lifts at Mountain Village have been approved, I want to be clear: I support updated infrastructure and encourage capital improvements.

In hindsight, however, the discussion should have gone further. Park City Mountain has emphasized increased uphill capacity and new lifts, but there has been little discussion of downhill skier capacity — especially in years when Mother Nature does not provide enough snow or sustained cold temperatures.

Some resorts have advanced snowmaking systems and ample water rights. Without modern, automated snowmaking capable of covering multiple runs at once when temperatures allow, overcrowded trails are likely. It is irresponsible to add more skiers to limited terrain without also upgrading snowmaking.

Relying on old hoses, 40-year-old snow guns, and valves buried in manholes that must be turned on and off manually is not an effective strategy in an era of climate change. In addition, higher-elevation terrain that could expand ski capacity without snowmaking, such as Pinecone Ridge, has been largely overlooked as regularly skied terrain with natural snow. Unfortunately, this is only one example of the many infrastructure and operational improvements still needed.

Beyond protests and demonstrations, how can citizens make their voices heard? What influence do they have over a public company or governing body? Corporations answer to shareholders and profit targets, and community feedback often seems secondary.

If new lifts alone are considered a sufficient public benefit, so be it. But if the community wants Park City Mountain to reclaim its reputation as a world-class ski destination, we should demand more. So far, efforts to strengthen this vital local economic driver under Vail Resorts management have fallen short.

Hamburger quotes Brad Olch and Myles Rademan on the need to provide “context amid difficult process” and to “build overall trust and relationships.” Those are worthwhile aims, but will Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz actually come to Park City, as they suggest?

The company’s response to the lift dispute was to sue Park City Municipal. Community partners and neighbors should resolve disagreements collaboratively, not in court. Does a true community partner file a lawsuit, or only deepen division? And when it comes to “enhancing aesthetics,” as mentioned in the recent Record article, the concern extends far beyond the five-acre Bonanza Drive site.

From my perspective, the mountain is in gradual decline, and what was once a Top 10 Ski Magazine destination is beginning to look neglected. The new lifts are progress, but many needed improvements remain.

Park City Municipal could consider using the Municipal Code and business licensing to hold our ski resort partners accountable — if our elected officials are willing to listen to residents and act on their concerns. If a business harms the community’s well-being or creates negative impacts, should it be granted a business license? It’s a question worth considering for the mayor and council.

In the end, I am left wondering whether public comments at meetings and letters to the editor are truly being heard or falling on deaf ears. All we can do is keep speaking up and look for other ways to apply pressure. Still, letters to the editor may have some impact, since it appears that Mayor Dickey want to revisit the pay raise issue.

Rob Karz

Park City