It has been just under two decades since Hideout was established, and the small town still feels relatively new. While the town is overflowing with residential properties, commercial amenities are scarce. The closest restaurant is at Black Rock Mountain Resort, and residents drive to Kamas or Park City for groceries. That’s part of why Hideout leaders are transforming 11.52 acres of the town’s land to develop a new neighborhood center at Ross Creek. At an open house for leaders and community members Wednesday, residents toured a line of posters displaying options for what a new neighborhood center could include. If they liked one option over another, they placed a red dot on the image of their preference.“The town-owned land at Ross Creek provides a catalytic opportunity for the town!” One poster read. Hideout citizens were able to place stickers next to options for choices such as what they would like to see in the mixed-use development area, what type of outdoor recreation they are interested in and the architectural design styles they prefer most. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordWhile areas like nearby Heber Valley — which has seen a dramatic increase in population over recent years — already have established town centers and commercial development, city leaders are finding there’s a shortage of housing. Hideout has the opposite problem. With the chance to grow and develop new amenities, town leaders are putting community input first. Town Administrator Jan McCosh said that a survey will be sent out for community members who were unable to attend Wednesday’s function.At the open house, Hideout residents were asked to consider their preferences for commercial developments, recreational opportunities, the type of access to Jordanelle State Park and even architectural style. For Molly Gingrich, the hope is that the Ross Creek center will be focused on community development. “I like that they’re asking for input,” Gingrich said. “It feels like our voice matters.” With 2,500 acres of terrain bordering the Jordanelle Reservoir, Hideout is picturesque. From their backyard or front porch, homeowners have a perfect view of the reservoir, backed by a mountain landscape and Deer Valley Resort. It’s no wonder the town’s 800-or-so residents chose to build — or acquire — their dream home there. Hideout is located near the Jordanelle Reservoir and town officials are seeking public input about potential development and future recreational amenities. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordThe view, Laura Downey said, is Hideout’s greatest asset. Downey, who has lived in Hideout for more than four years, voted for mixed-use development with dining amenities and convenient access to Jordanelle State Park. “One of the things I’d love is direct access [to Jordanelle],” Downey said. “We can see it, it’s right there, but we have to go around.” She joked that if you don’t have an electric bike, the worst part is the uphill battle. Downey’s hope for mixed-use spaces and developments is something Ralph Severini, Hideout’s chair of the economic development committee, sees as essential.“We really need to be thinking long term,” Severini said. “We need to be an integral part of the tourism that hits Park City and Deer Valley.”Severini said that Wednesday’s open house was part of Hideout’s community-driven process for development. But no matter what gets developed in the Ross Creek area, Severini said the new amenities will support the outdoor access and residential community, and vice versa. For the 16-year-old town, development is part of the growing process.“This is really like a business startup,” Severini said. “Park City is an established corporation.”Citizens of Hideout learn more about the choices for the Ross Creek day use area and give feedback about possibilities on Wednesday evening. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordOnce Hideout leaders have the chance to analyze the public’s input, Town Councilor Jonathan Gunn said they will then start reaching out to developers to “get them excited.” Like her friend, Downey, Andrea Spaulding moved to Hideout for the views and recreational opportunities. Spaulding said she and her friends like to hike the state park’s Perimeter Trail in the summer and tour it on cross-country skis in the winter. “I feel fortunate to be able to live here,” Spaulding said. At the open house, Spaulding said she would like to have spaces for outdoor dining and community gatherings. For her, the future for Hideout is bright. “It’s a lovely community,” Spaulding said. “I just want to see it live up to its potential.”The post Hideout leaders seek community input on Ross Creek development appeared first on Park Record.