Comments needed on the Lodging Overlay
Town Electeds are asking for input on the Lodging Overlay. You may have received an email asking for your input. It is not clear if they will really listen to us or if this is an exercise to lend validity to any decision they make. It is clear however that if we do not provide input we will not have any standing in any protest or legal action against any changes they might make to the Lodging Overlay. They will be taking comments until April 17th. Please take a few minutes to comment.
Options for input
–Online: using their website lodging.jacksontetonplan.com The site is interactive and allows you to change the boundaries of the Lodging Overlay and see how it affects neighborhoods and access to the Downtown District. The first time I tried the link I had problems viewing the survey. If that happens close it out and try again. If you still cannot get it to work, there may be compatibility issues with your browser. Instead of getting frustrated I would suggest if there are problems that you submit your comments by email, telephone, or workshop. The online option is good if you want to take the survey on your own schedule.
–Workshop:
- 3/19, 5-8pm, Center for the Arts Theater Lobby
- 3/23, 9-3pm, Home Ranch Building
- 4/10, 11am-2pm or 5-8pm, Center for the Arts Theater Lobby
- 4/11, 11am-2pm or 5-8pm, Center for the Arts Theater Lobby
This might be the best option if you are not comfortable navigating the website, do not have access to a computer, or have questions you would like to discuss. You will be in a group, so there may be some pressure to conform to the group opinion.
Email or Phone: You can find contact info at this link. http://www.townofjackson.com/content/index.cfm?fuseaction=showContent&contentID=21&navID=21
Some Thoughts before you Comment
If you use the website, you will find that the current Lodging Overlay provides good balance between protecting neighborhoods and keeping lodging within walking distance of the Downtown District. Both of these are goals of the 2012 Comp Plan. Any change in the Lodging Overlay (LO) will be difficult to implement fairly because it will substantially change the value of a property. Properties that are added to the LO will increase in value. Properties that are removed from the LO will decrease in value. How will we decide which landowners should benefit and which ones should suffer? Changing the LO opens a can of worms. The current LO serves our community well and allows existing lodging outside the LO to continue in operation.
Existing Lodging is only full for a short period in the summer and on Holiday weekends in the winter. Expanding our LO will expand lodging capacity and make it even more difficult to achieve the 2012 Comp Plan goal of increasing occupancy in the shoulder seasons. The 2012 Comp Plan states we do not wish to increase visitation during peak occupancy when we struggle to provide services for our visitors and residents.
There is no benefit to the community from changing the LO.
If you have questions on the Lodging Overlay check out this page from our website:
http://savehistoricjacksonhole.org/2013/03/q-a-on-the-lodging-overlay-in-town/
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