Petition seeks to send Jackson housing rules to public vote

Some Jackson business leaders are sponsoring a petition aimed at pushing housing mitigation regulations to a public vote.

The regulations were passed this spring by the Jackson Town Council and Teton County Commissioners.

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce objected to the regulations. In an open letter to chamber members, President and CEO Anna Olson said, “we believe this type of proposed mitigation policy will slow or eliminate new development and re-development causing huge burden on business lease/renters. Due to the increasing competition for rentals, rates will go up and become cost prohibitive to small business, start up and sole proprietor, the essence of our small-town economics. We are concerned that this will not only not build housing but bring smart commerce and redevelopment to a screeching halt.”

As one option, the Chamber has proposed a regional approach that includes a balance of housing alternatives in bedroom communities, then finding a source of funding to support mass transit to get workers into town.

One of the objectives of the housing regulations was to encourage more involvement in the community by making it possible for more of the workforce to live in the community.

The Chamber is not directly involved in the petition drive.