Council amends work plan to emphasize growth management, short-term rental review and biomass study follow-up; childcare flagged for future action

Staff presented a redline of proposed amendments to the Summit County 2023 work plan and the council discussed changes focused on growth management, housing options and environmental stewardship.

Key changes the council accepted included stronger language on growth management and regional planning, adding a short-term rental/nightly rental review point under the Local Housing Choice priority, and a directive to review biomass (BDO) assessment results and decide whether to pursue further actions. Council members also agreed to explore establishing a regional housing authority and to continue conversations about a continuing care retirement community (CCRC).

Childcare emerged in public comment and council discussion as an important near-term issue. Members asked staff and councilors (Melina, Candace and others) to continue stakeholder conversations with Park City, the Early Childhood Alliance and the community foundation; the council did not yet add a directive that requires substantial staff resources but left a general line in the 'other priorities' section to "determine if/how Summit County wants to be involved" in childcare so the topic can be moved into staff action if a concrete proposal arises.

On environmental stewardship, staff reported on the biomass (BDO) assessment and recommended the council consider further study if partners (state and private investors) show interest. Members asked staff to provide a resource-benefit analysis and potential scale of operations to determine whether biomass activity would materially reduce wildfire hazard or provide feasible local jobs.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the amended work plan with these additions.