Some see the efforts to redevelop the location of The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Park City – The Yarrow as being beneficial to the community.The project, they argue, remakes a critical corner in Park City with a concept befitting the high-profile ground.But others question whether the vision pursued by a Chicago firm is appropriate. The height is problematic to them, as an example of the concern.As the Park City Planning Commission and Singerman Real Estate, the owner, continue their talks about the future of the location, City Hall has released a cache of correspondences from the public about the concept. The correspondences illustrate the divide the project has created between people who want the concept to proceed and those with concerns about the future of the southeast corner of the intersection of Park Avenue and Kearns Boulevard.The correspondences highlight the importance of a project that will be developed at a spot that is regarded as the commercial entry to Park City, as well as one that will replace a standard-bearer property in the city’s lodging industry.The input generally dates to the early fall and last summer — a time when the Planning Commission and the owner were engaged in the discussions about topics like the height of the proposal — and largely remains relevant with the talks continuing. The Planning Commission held another meeting about the project on Wednesday.The proposal involves a condominium hotel, including commercial and restaurant space, and restricted workforce or otherwise affordable housing. Planning Commission meetings have focused on issues like building height, which is one of the pivotal questions. The panel on Wednesday held another meeting about the project, discussing topics like height, before deciding to continue the talks later. The Planning Commission did not set a date for the next discussion.The commission has received a range of testimony during hearings, and the correspondences released by the municipal government complement the comments provided to the Planning Commission during the meetings. The correspondences came from people who live in various Park City neighborhoods, from those living outside the city limits and from people who identified themselves with their profession rather than a neighborhood.Sean Matyja, a real estate broker, was among the supporters of the project who submitted comments to the Planning Commission. The September correspondence calls the project a “significant improvement for the site” as he notes the layout of the buildings, landscaping and the restricted housing that is included. He says nearby properties could someday “follow a similar format.”“Everyone always talks about building more affordable housing, and these seem like good locations and ways to achieve it. Doubtful you’ll get the typical NIMBY comments in these areas, and the locations are very pedestrian friendly,” he says. “It seems like these couple of blocks could be transformed into a vibrant worker community rather than the current unsightly grouping of deteriorated buildings, parking lots, vacant lots, etc.”Another supporter, former Planning Commissioner Stewart Gross, outlines his backing of “any redevelopment of this corner to fix the horrendous condition of the sidewalks surrounding the perimeter of the existing property.”The Gross correspondence adds: “This property is being redeveloped for the first time since 1977. It won’t be redeveloped again for many generations into the future. The city must allow this property to be all that it should be for the future.”A former member of the Park City Council, Alex Butwinski, addresses issues like curb cuts in his input in support of the project. He says the concept provides “significant safety improvements.”“The current entry corridor experience from Kearns/Park Ave heading south includes a fifty year old motor lodge, the Fresh Market, a Walgreens and a Burger King, all with acres of parking on grade and fronting the street,” Butwinski says. “The proposed application offers underground parking for 250 cars with no street frontage parking. It offers a vastly improved landscaping plan that provides a pleasant, safer pedestrian experience along Kearns.”One of the critics of the concept, Deb Rentfrow, acknowledges the “property could use some sprucing up,” but “it needs to be redeveloped in a manner which aligns with” the municipal government’s detailed development rules, outlined in the Land Management Code. Rentfrow argues the proposal “is not a hotel” but rather what she labels a “condotel plus 60 affordable housing units.”“A condotel provides amenities within each unit such as a full kitchen and many amenities within the entire development which limits the need for leaving the premises. Therefore, it potentially reduces the overall vibrancy contributed to the area,” Rentfrow says.She also questions whether the long-term future of a development like the one pursued will ultimately add to the atmosphere of the surroundings.“A condotel also allows the developer to complete the project and walk away as ownership is passed on to individual condo owners and the association formed by the condo owners. If nightly rental licenses are not granted, many of the units will likely sit empty as second homes and further reduce the potential to contribute vibrancy to the area and reduce the ‘neighborhood’ vibe,” Rentfrow says.The post Park City hotel project spurs division, correspondences to City Hall show appeared first on Park Record.