This post is written and paid for by Jackson Hole Working

JACKSON, Wyo. — This week, our community had the opportunity to review the “Preferred Plan Presentation” for Northern South Park. We hope folks took the time to learn about the plans and get engaged in this opportunity for housing in our valley. 

We have concerns about if the 70-page report accomplishes the goals of providing the community and landowners a clear understanding of what would be required to convert rural acreage to higher density parcels. However, despite those concerns, we hope this community and our elected officials will seize the opportunity to create a plan for Northern South Park. 

We cannot sit on the sidelines. If you have thought about getting involved, now is the time. This is the time to change our legacy and move forward when bold decisions are needed regarding housing outside of Town limits.

Our conversations about Northern South Park have been going on for over 20 years, and we cannot afford any more delays on this plan. 

These 225 acres need our attention. Our voice. Our support. The recent Regional Housing Needs Assessment findings from the Town and County highlight the things we already know and clarify the actions that need to be taken. 

For example, many renters said their “health is compromised” by the current lack of housing supply. In addition, most renters (75%) are under 120% Area Median Income (AMI); however, only 25% of rental stock addresses this category of renters. 

And we have been working – the study showed 41% of units built in the last several years are restricted to the workforce. Those represent public, private and public-private partnerships, all of which have been diligently working to create housing stock. 

We still need big decisions and bold leadership to address our housing needs. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment says we need 5,300 units through 2027 to tackle the current conditions. Almost 3,200 units need to be built in Teton County, Wyoming. 

While NH-1 and NM-1 are creating units in Town, we must admit that Town limits cannot address all our community housing needs in the next five years. Instead, we must get serious about zoning and provide a clear blueprint for development outside Town. 

Some elected officials say development needs to remain in Town and that our Comprehensive Plan refers to “Town as Heart.” Development should occur in Town; however, we must recognize that available land is minimal and cost-prohibitive. Therefore, we must expand opportunities in Teton County for affordable and workforce housing.  

Much has changed since the 2012 Comprehensive Plan. The NSP plan says, “for context, in 2013, 1 in 3 homes were affordable to the median-income family in Teton County, but by 2020 median-income families could only afford 1 in 10 homes.” HUD figures show that to afford the 2021 median sales price; a household must bring in at least $469,000/year. 

These figures do not even address our aging population, our retirees, and the lack of affordable housing for them. A diverse and robust community includes folks from all age groups, abilities, and incomes – our valley does not thrive without them. 

The truth is we need a clear blueprint for the future of Northern South Park. We cannot continue to wait for perfection because it will never appear. Housing needs in our valley affect people’s overall health and wellness; our small businesses ability to thrive; commuter traffic is hurting our carbon and transportation goals, and we are losing our community. 

Now is the time to let your elected officials know to act on Northern South Park and housing in our valley. We cannot wait any longer.

Email County Commissioners at commissioners@tetoncountywy.gov. 

Jackson Hole Working board member Kelly Lockhart, a landowner in the NSP discussions, was not included in the writing or approving of this article.