“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes” – Charles Spurgeon.
He’s right, of course. It is easier to throw stuff against the wall to see what sticks, than it is to focus on facts. Point in case, the Vail Homeowners Association and their shifting positions in opposition to development of Vail Resorts parcel in East Vail.
NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) opposition is often based on misperceptions or misguided information based on rumors regarding a project’s impact on its surrounding area. No matter how much a housing proposal is needed by the community at large, someone is bound to object, and such opposition often achieves its goal of derailing projects before they start.
This tactic is being used by the Vail Homeowner Association (VHA), as evidenced by recent editorials. First, this group opposed the proposed re-zoning of Vail Resorts privately owned land in East Vail due to density issues, crowded busses, and (God forbid) exposing our visitors to workforce housing as a first impression when they enter the town via I-70 from the east.
The VHA quickly shifted tactics to focus on environmental concerns when it came to light the land in question was already zoned for residential development. Although it is interesting to note they double down on transit, which has an easy solution: add buses to the route.
It must not be a point capable of surviving on its own merits if you feel the need to lie, shift tactics, and use your bully pulpit to get your point across.
Regarding sustainability, Town of Vail and other stakeholders (including Walking Mountains Science Center) deserve kudos and credit for their efforts to make Vail the first sustainable community. At Vail Valley Partnership, we like to expand the definition of sustainability to Community Sustainability.
Our communities derive extraordinary economic and social benefits from the ongoing health and beauty of our natural environment. This can and should be balanced with efforts to solidify an economic base that is strong, diverse, and resilient. Decisions need to be made with the goal of building sustainable communities that can thrive indefinitely.
As community leaders, it is important to ask ourselves if the decisions, policies, and programs are likely to create outcomes that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable. We encourage local policymakers to utilize the guiding principle of Community Sustainability as a sensible framework for decision-making that considers:
- Economic Sustainability: Is this decision likely to result in outcomes that are economically viable and will preserve and enhance quality of life?
- Environmental Sustainability: Is this decision likely to result in outcomes that are environmentally sound and will preserve and enhance quality of life?
- Social Sustainability: Is this decision likely to result in outcomes that are socially acceptable and will preserve and enhance quality of life?
The VHA’s shifting efforts to oppose this zoning is a thinly veiled effort consistent with their efforts to prevent and oppose any & all development, and is not in the spirit of community sustainability. The VRI land is undeveloped, private land already zoned residential. This is NOT open space as they claim. They are truly saying “no more housing in Vail” under the banner of environmental protection.
We’re smarter than to fall for the lies they are peddling. There is positive momentum in Eagle County for privately developed workforce housing. Our elected officials and appointed boards need to hear from supporters of appropriate and thoughtful development to help balance the well-organized, vocal opponents to every development.
Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com.