HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- Wasatch Choice Case Studies: North Salt Lake
- Map of the Month: New Workplace Accessibility Web Map
- Key Findings from the Wasatch Choice Implementation Survey
- August Webinar: Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones (HTRZ)
- Government Affairs Update
- Comment on the Regional Transportation Planning Process
- Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and the Wasatch Choice Vision
- Bike Utah “Policy Bikes”
- UDOT Needs your Input
- WFRC is Hiring a Communications Manager!
- Upcoming Events
|
|
Wasatch Choice Case Studies |
|
Utah was the fastest-growing state in the nation over the past ten years, and that growth continues. This creates strains on our transportation, housing prices and availability, air quality, and water. Understandably, some residents have questions about the impacts of that growth on their overall quality of life, now and into the future. How are local communities responding to and planning for these challenges to ensure that the quality of life in the region remains high for generations to come?
In the coming months, WFRC will be sharing case studies from communities around the region that are working to address the challenges of growth and recovery from COVID-19, using the Wasatch Choice Regional Vision as a foundation. Case studies will explore:
- How communities are working with their residents.
- Technical approaches being used to coordinate the location of land use, housing, transportation, economic development, and open space to achieve a higher quality of life.
-
How communities are meeting new requirements for their General Plans.
- Overall key lessons learned.
|
|
North Salt Lake is a largely built-out suburban community. Its historic character has been predominantly residential and industrial. In recent years the city has focused on how to create a town center - a heart of the community, and on how to recast the character along the main road through town, Highway 89, to expand housing options, enhance their economy, and their community quality of life. Despite being largely built out, recent years have seen significant change for North Salt Lake.
|
|
Map of the Month:
New Workplace Accessibility Web Map
|
|
OK, imagine this…
You’re renting or buying your next home and want to consider commute time to job centers as a factor in your decision.
Or, perhaps you’re choosing where to locate a business and want to size up the proximity of potential employees or your customer base.
In both cases, and for many other planning purposes, WFRC’s new Access to Opportunities (ATO) web map can provide quick insight into our region’s workplace accessibility landscape for both auto and transit travel modes.
The ATO map data --sourced from the regional travel and land use models and available for current years and future projections -- is not new, but the new interactive map format allows us to customize the ATO data relative to different sub areas of the Wasatch Front region.
Additionally, the new ATO web map shows how workplace accessibility is anticipated to change at each traffic analysis zone, due to projected changes to nearby land uses, planned transportation projects, and population and traffic growth.
Last but not least, users can now select any zone of interest and then turn on the “Travelshed Display” option to see the 10, 20, and 30 minute travelsheds that the travel model is computing for peak period travel.
For more information about ATO, contact Bert Granberg at bgranberg@wfrc.org.
|
|
Planning for the Wasatch Front’s Rapid Growth:
Key Findings from the Wasatch Choice Implementation Survey
|
|
There is broad interest in understanding how local communities are planning amidst the heady challenges of rapid population growth, a housing shortage, and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities are also striving to advance their Wasatch Choice Regional Vision and meet new statutory planning requirements. Noticing this widespread interest, the Wasatch Choice Partners conducted a survey in the spring of 2021. The Wasatch Choice Implementation Survey was a collaborative effort with local planning staff. Key findings from 51 communities include:
Local governments are being proactive with planning:
- Over 94% of communities have amended planning and zoning ordinances within the last two years on major items such as parking requirements, street design standards, and street connectivity.
Communities are coordinating their local plans with regional plans, helping reduce the need for more infrastructure and better connecting workforce to job opportunities.
- 69% of communities have included the urban city or city centers from their Wasatch Choice Regional Vision into both their general plans and zoning ordinances, tying their long-term vision into their nearer term plans.
- 65% of communities are progressing bicycle and pedestrian planning and projects, while 16% noted that their bike/ ped implementation efforts are adopted or complete.
To learn more about local communities’ strides in planning to address key challenges, read the full report HERE. For more information regarding the survey and its results, please contact Ted Knowlton at ted@wfrc.org.
|
|
August Webinar:
Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones
|
|
Join Wasatch Front Regional Council, the Utah Transit Authority, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and the lead sponsor of SB217 Senator Wayne Harper, on August 17th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm as we explore this new tool.
For more information, or to RSVP for the webinar, please contact Miranda Jones Cox at WFRC (miranda@wfrc.org).
|
|
Federal Update
After weeks of negotiating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, an agreement was reached last week and the U.S. Senate voted to bring the bipartisan deal to the Senate floor for consideration. The 2,702 pages of legislative text for the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” was released over the weekend. The deal would provide over $550 billion in new funding above baseline levels over five years for roads, bridges, transit, water, broadband, and other infrastructure programs. Here is a Fact Sheet about the deal released by the White House. In summary, the deal would continue existing core infrastructure programs with some increases, and increase funding for numerous discretionary grant programs (some new and some existing). However, there is still a long way to go in the process as the Senate takes up amendments this week before a vote, and the House takes up the bill in the weeks to come.
We would like to express our appreciation for Senator Romney’s work, leadership, and partnership, along with his staff team, on this deal. Further details, including what this may mean for Utah, can be found in our recent government affairs newsletter. |
|
State Update and Grant Programs
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) released a letter and preliminary timeline for the $50 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) local matching grant program. The Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) and GOPB will host a town hall on Wednesday, August 25th to provide more information about the program and process. You can register for that here. Meanwhile, the $35 million ARPA affordable housing grant program to be administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity will likely go through rulemaking next month as we wait for additional information to be released.
Additionally, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) released information for a series of ARPA funding opportunities totaling $3 billion. The EDA ARPA programs will be implemented across the following six opportunities: Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion), Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million), Economic Adjustment Assistance Challenge ($500 million), Indigenous Communities Challenge ($100 million), Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Grants ($750 million), and Statewide Planning, Research, and Networks Grants ($90 million). Communities will be able to apply for funding immediately. |
|
Comment on the Regional
Transportation Planning Process
|
|
Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration conduct a review of the regional transportation planning process led by the Wasatch Front Regional Council, as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Salt Lake - West Valley and Ogden - Layton Urbanized Areas. As part of that review, they invite interested individuals to comment on the regional transportation planning process.
Comments may be submitted in writing and addressed to Kelly Lund at kelly.lund@dot.gov or Kelly Lund, Utah Division, Federal Highway Administration, 2520 West 4700 South, Suite 9A, Salt Lake City, UT 84129. In addition comments can be made at a virtual meeting which will be held Friday, August 13, 1:00 - 2:00 pm.
|
|
Unified Economic Opportunity Commission
and the Wasatch Choice Vision
|
|
The recently established Unified Economic Opportunity Commission (UEOC) met for the first time on June 30th, 2021 to swear in the newly appointed commission members. Senator Millner and Representative Hawkes passed legislation ( HB 348), the Economic Opportunity Act, to update Utah’s economic strategy, which includes a key pivot away from just using incentives for more development but to emphasize economic opportunity, increase economic planning, and create the Utah Economic Opportunity Commission.
The new Commission will convene on topics critical to the state’s economy, review and develop a new economic strategy, align economic efforts and incentive programs and support education and industry. The Commission is comprised of stakeholders, industry leaders and elected officials to assist in finding solutions to the issues facing our state’s growth and economy. Two WFRC Council Members, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey (Regional Growth Committee Chair) and Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer (Wasatch Front Economic Development District Chair), serve on the Commission, as the appointees of the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) and the Utah Association of Counties (UAC), respectively. In addition, WFRC Executive Director, Andrew Gruber is serving on the Incentive and Growth Alignment subcommittee.
There is a strong alignment between the Utah Economic Opportunity Commission mission and vision, the Wasatch Choice vision and its relationship with a strong economy and housing affordability. Linking development to the right places, creating fiscally sustainable places, attracting and retaining businesses, and encouraging innovation are all important elements that will be recognized from this new Commission. |
|
Want to bike more in the summer, but the heat wave has you down? You should try an electric bicycle! Electric bikes bring all of the joy and fitness of a regular bike, but take away some of the sweat factor, especially when it's 100 degrees out.
Bike Utah has a program called " Policy Bikes" which allows elected officials and staff to borrow an electric bicycle for an extended period of time. The goal of the program is to "provide policy makers the chance to experience practical, transportation-focused cycling in a comfortable, inexpensive, and easy way." So if you want to beat the heat with an electric bicycle or know someone who would benefit from such an opportunity, check out the Bike Utah "Policy Bikes" webpage. |
|
UDOT Needs Your Input
To Identify Walking, Biking & Trail Options Needed Near You
|
|
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is seeking public input on active transportation needs throughout the state. Active transportation is human-powered travel, such as walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or hand cycling. Infrastructure for active transportation includes sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, design for those with mobility impairments, crosswalks and more. Your input on nonmotorized transportation needs will help UDOT prioritize and fund active transportation projects.
- Take a 30-second survey
- Fill out a comment form
- Identify active transportation needs on a map
You can also participate by contacting a project representative directly by calling 385-360-1900 or emailing planning@utah.gov. |
|
WFRC is Hiring a Communications Manager! |
|
WFRC has a very exciting job opening for a Communications Manager. You can read the full job announcement HERE. The Communications Manager position will be an integral part of the WFRC Team working in a highly collaborative environment to address the challenges and opportunities of being one of the fastest growing states in the country. They will manage the Wasatch Front Regional Council's strategic communications, community outreach and public involvement activities and help shape policy and funding in transportation and related land use and economic development issues that are vital to the future of our region, state and nation.
If you are interested, or may know someone who may be interested, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Amber Gonzales at amber@wfrc.org.
|
|
Attend the Open House on The Point Framework Plan! |
|
The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority is hosting an in-person open house on the recently released framework plan for The Point. The in-person open house is scheduled for Thursday, August 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fred House Training Academy in Draper, located at 14727 Minuteman Drive, Draper, UT 84020. Live streaming of the event will be available at bit.ly/thepointyoutube.
The Point Framework Plan reflects what Utahns said they wanted, including an extensive parks and trails system, an Innovation District to catalyze economic opportunity and job generation, a transportation system that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, and a balanced mix of land uses that provide retail, entertainment and housing choices.
Don’t miss your opportunity to talk directly with the world-renown planners and subject-matter experts who helped to create the framework plan. More information is available at thepointutah.org. |
|
NAIOPOLY - Become part of the Game!
NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association, in partnership with EDCUTAH, is bringing to you a fun and exciting way to get you up-to-date on CRE developments across the Wasatch Front, all while networking and enjoying bites and libations.
Play the game with the industry elite. Among them will be developers, investors, site selectors, brokers, industry service providers, and a who’s who of real estate industry players. Register to join the ultimate real estate game.
Thursday, September 16, 2021, 4 – 7 pm
Salt Lake City Global Logistics Center
6550 W 700 N, Bld. 5
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
NAIOP Members Contact: Lindsay Cleverly naiop@naioputah.org 801.414.4210
EDCUTAH Members Contact: Mike Flynn mflynn@edcutah.org 801.328.9742
For more information: https://naioputahevents.org/event-4366306
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
