Please accept this letter as my strong urging to deny any and all special exceptions for the present plan for an apartment development on the Bonanza 5-acre parcel as presented to the Park City Planning Commission in the regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 12. I attended the meeting and listened to the presentations by both the staff and developer. I needed to leave for another commitment so was unable to speak in person. My review of the proposed plan suggests the plan is a very ordinary apartment development with no community benefit. The open space proposed in this plan is only appropriate for use by the residents not as a community gathering space. The height, limited setbacks and repetitive nature of the proposed buildings will choke the visual appeal of both Kearns Boulevard and Bonanza Drive. This site was purchased by the city with support of residents to be used for an art and cultural center with the goal of enhancing the prestige of Park City as a place to live, visit and work. This site deserves outstanding architectural design and cultural uses that will advance the appeal of Park City.  If the city denies special exceptions for the site, the developer may choose not to pursue their interest in the site. If that is not the case, I would support spending city funds to terminate the city’s contractual relationship with this developer. I appreciate the goal of assisting with affordable housing for the folks who are valuable in making our town function. It is important that the city complete an inventory of how the extensive affordable housing created to date is being occupied. My understanding is that housing created using federal incentives cannot be restricted to occupancy based on where the occupants work. If we are creating housing that is used by occupants who commute out of Park City to work, we only worsen the traffic issues we are trying to correct. My recommendation is that the city perform minor cleanup to enable the site to be used as interim parking and open space. We can wait for a developer or family to approach the city with a creative plan that offers true community benefits. There are many people of means in Park City who could emerge as candidates to endow a community facility on the site. In the interim, there is no harm and no shame in continuing to land bank this property. It will only continue to grow in value. Thank you for your consideration. I do not speak for anyone but myself, but I know my views are shared by most of my friends and people I know. Bill Ligety Park City The post No public benefit appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less