LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS 1 December 2007 Presentation of Findings from Research Around Development in Teton County LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS

1LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS

December 2007

Presentation of Findings from Research Around Development in Teton County

LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS


Methodology


Methodology

Lake Research Partners designed and administered this survey which was conducted by phone using professional interviewers. The survey reached 400 registered voters 18 years and older in Teton County, WY. The survey was conducted between November 15 and November 19, 2007.

Telephone numbers for the sample were drawn randomly from a voter file in Teton County, WY. Data were weighted slightly by gender, party identification, age, education and region to reflect the attributes of the actual population of registered voters. The margin of error is +/-4.9%.


Key Findings


Key Findings

Growth is a significant issue to Teton County voters. Majorities express concern around both the amount and rate of growth in Teton County.

On par with two years ago, voters place a great deal of importance on preserving open space in the county.

There is a strong consensus that Teton County’s resources are a local and national treasure that must be protected, the town of Jackson should maintain its unique character, that it is a community first then a resort, and that high-end development should not crowd out affordable housing.

As the county moves into the future, Teton County voters believe maintaining and enhancing environmental quality, including air and water quality, is the top priority. Sizeable majorities also place as high priorities setting aside scenic vistas and wildlife habitat, maintaining outdoor recreation and adventure opportunities, offering a variety of housing types, especially for resident workers, and promoting economic sustainability that does not depend on population growth.

When thinking about elements of the updated Comprehensive Plan, voters believe it is most important to address wildlife preservation, followed closely by preserving community character, open space preservation, and the rate of growth.


Voters say the following goals would have to be met before they would approve a development plan – must provide affordable housing, must preserve wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and must preserve open space.

Affordable housing is a major issue to voters, though when asked to consider trade-offs, habitat preservation and preserving open space take precedence. They believe affordable housing should be available for a variety of workers, not just emergency service workers.

Voters split between the desire to cap growth in the county versus slowing the rate of growth. They do believe affordable housing should be provided within an overall growth limit, not through additional density. They think there should be a cap on the number of resort developments rather than building more resorts.

Voters across most demographic groups net support more development and population density in Jackson if it means there would be less development and density in Teton County, limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Tetons, and annexing and developing land adjacent to Jackson if an equal amount of land elsewhere in the County is preserved from development.

There is much less agreement across demographic groups around more development and population density in Jackson when it is not specified that there will be less development and density in Teton County. There is also less agreement around annexing and developing land when it is not specified that an equal amount of land elsewhere in the county is preserved from development.

Key Findings


Majorities of roughly six in ten express willingness to pay $200 more in taxes per year for purchasing open space to ensure wildlife habitat protection and pathways – a significant finding considering how tax averse voters tend to be in many areas of the country. Additionally, narrow majorities are willing to pay $200 more for building more affordable housing and expanding highways and improving roads.

Support for a tax increase drops off when it is increased, with the exception of paying more for affordable housing. While only half of the electorate expresses willingness to pay more in taxes for this purpose, there does not appear to be a difference in asking voters to pay $200 more versus $500 more in taxes.

Voters agree that maintaining the existing character of Jackson will keep the town as the heart of the county.

Nearly half of voters say two-story buildings best represent the desired character of downtown Jackson and a third say three-story buildings. Few would like to see bigger buildings. Women, longer term residents, and those living in Jackson are most supportive of maintaining the two-story building standard.

Teton County voters feel that buildings with landscaping and set backs are most appropriate for development outside the Jackson town square.

Key Findings


Strategic Summary


Strategic Summary

Attitudes on Growth in Teton County

The rate of growth and development and affordable housing top voters’ list of concerns regarding Teton County. Voters across demographic groups place rate of growth and affordable housing at the top of their lists of concerns.

Majorities express concern around both the amount and rate of growth in Teton County. Additionally, majorities across most demographic groups are concerned about the rate and amount of growth. Younger women and shorter term Teton residents are less likely to express concern around the rate of growth and men and Republicans are less concerned than others about the amount of growth.

Strong majorities place a great deal of importance on preserving open space in the county. This is consistent with findings from two years ago. Women and Democrats express most intensity around open space.


Strategic Summary

Teton County Now and the Vision for the Future

Strong majorities agree that Teton County’s resources are a local and national treasure that must be protected, the town of Jackson should maintain its unique character, that it is a community first then a resort, and that high-end development should not crowd out affordable housing.

There is a strong consensus across demographic groups around protecting the county’s resources and the town’s small-town feel, making the county a community first, and that high-end development should not dominate the area.

As the county moves into the future, half of Teton County voters believe maintaining and enhancing environmental quality, including air and water quality, is the top priority.

Sizeable majorities also place as high priorities setting aside scenic vistas and wildlife habitat, maintaining outdoor recreation and adventure opportunities, offering a variety of housing types, especially for resident workers, and promoting economic sustainability that does not depend on population growth.


Strategic Summary

Comprehensive Plan

Teton County voters are most supportive of a development plan providing affordable housing and preserving wildlife habitat and open space.

When thinking about elements of the updated Comprehensive Plan, voters place greatest importance on wildlife preservation, followed closely by preserving community character, open space preservation, and the rate of growth. Voters respond with least intensity around the importance of economic development as a components of the updated plan.

When given a number of trade-off situations to consider, by wide margins voters say critical wildlife habitat and open space preservation should trump building more affordable housing.

Voters prefer providing affordable housing for a variety of workers rather than just for emergency service workers. They also tend to prefer that this affordable housing exist with an overall growth limit instead of allowing additional density.

They split between capping overall growth versus slowing the rate of growth. They lean toward favoring building more roads and widening existing highways over a cap on growth. They strongly prefer capping the number of resort developments over building more developments.


Proposals

Majorities support more development and population density in Jackson if it means less development and density in the County and limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Teton National Park.

Voters across most demographic groups net support more development and population density in Jackson if it means there would be less development and density in Teton County, limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Tetons, and annexing and developing land adjacent to Jackson if an equal amount of land elsewhere in the County is preserved from development.


Strategic Summary


Proposals

Majorities of roughly six in ten express willingness to pay $200 more in taxes per year for purchasing open space to ensure wildlife habitat protection and pathways. Narrow majorities are willing to pay more for building more affordable housing and expanding highways and improving roads. Intensity is strongest around habitat protection and pathways, though it is relatively limited across the board.

Willingness to pay $500 more in taxes per year is substantially lower for purchasing open space to ensure that critical wildlife habitat is protected, pathways, and highway expansion and road improvement.

Voters do not appear to draw a large distinction between paying $200 and $500 for building more affordable housing, though in either case only roughly half of voters say they favor this proposal.

Strategic Summary


Jackson as the Heart of Teton County

Voters agree that maintaining the existing character of Jackson will keep the town as the heart of the county.

Nearly half of voters say two-story buildings best represent the desired character of downtown Jackson and a third say three-story buildings. Few would like to see bigger buildings. There is an interesting gender divide on this issue, with women significantly more likely to favor two-story buildings and men split in their preference for two or three-story buildings. Jackson and longer term residents are more likely to favor the two-story option.

Two-thirds of voters feel that buildings with landscaping and set backs are most appropriate for development outside the Jackson town square. Majorities across demographic groups concur.

Strategic Summary


Attitudes on Growth in Teton County

Majorities express concern around both the amount and rate of growth in Teton County. On

par with two years ago, voters place a great deal of importance on preserving open space in

the county.


The rate of growth and development and affordable housing top voters’ list of concerns

regarding Teton County.

4%2%

3%3%

5%6%6%

7%8%

11%22%

23%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Don't know

Roads

Traffic

Govt spending/ the budget

Economy/jobs

Health care

The environment

Education

Taxes

Preservation of open space

Affordable housing

Rate of growth/dev.

I am going to read you a list of concerns that some people have. Thinking about Teton County, please tell me which one of these concerns you most.

Voters across demographic groups place rate of growth and affordable housing at the top of their lists of concerns. Voters who identify affordable housing as their top issue include: Younger and college-educated women, Democratic women, younger Republicans*, voters who have lived in Teton County for ten years or less, and Jackson residents.

*Note small sample size


26%

29%

23%

21%26%

29%-8%

-24% -8%

-21%

-50% -30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Extremely concerned Very concerned Somewhat concerned A little concerned Not concerned at all

How concerned are you about the rate of growth in Teton County today?*

How concerned are you about the amount of growth in Teton County today?*

*Split sampled question

Three-quarters of voters express at least some concern about both the rate of growth and the amount of growth in Teton County, with strong majorities expressing intense concern.

76%

78%


Voters across most demographic groups express concern over both the amount and rate of

growth in Teton County.


Majorities across most demographic groups are concerned about the rate and amount of growth.

Women under 50* and those living in Teton County 10 years or less* are the only groups to be less or not concerned about the rate of growth (net –7 points and –16 points respectively).

Groups that are net unconcerned about the amount of growth include: Men (-13) and Republicans (-8).

The language of “rate of growth” raises more concerns among men, Republicans, and those who live outside the Jackson town limits than when they hear “amount of growth.” Similarly, the language of “amount of growth” raises more concern than “rate of growth” among women, voters under 40* and ages 50 to 64,* and those who live in Jackson.*


42%

37%

17%

15%34%

31%-8%

-14% -6%

-10%

-50% -30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Extremely important Very important Somewhat important A little important Not important at all

2007

2005

How important is it to you personally to preserve open space in Teton County – extremely important, very important, somewhat important, a little important, or not important at all?

A strong majority of voters place a significant degree of importance on preserving open space in the County.

Attitudes are similar to two years ago.

86%

90%


Generally, women and Democrats think it is extremely important to preserve open space in

the county.


Voters who believe it is extremely important to preserve open space include: Women (43 percent extremely important)

Democratic women (55 percent)*

Strong Democrats (54 percent)

Older Democrats (53 percent)*

College educated women (50 percent)


Teton County Now and the Vision for the Future

Three quarters of voters strongly agree that Teton County’s resources are a local and national

treasure that must be protected. Half of Teton County voters believe maintaining and enhancing

environmental quality, including air and water quality, is the top priority.


Now let me read you some statements and I want you to tell me if you agree or disagree with each one. [If agree/disagree, Ask: Is that strongly/not so strongly agree/disagree?]

75%

53%

57%

56%

75%

92%

77%

81%

-7%

-9%

-3%

-8%

-5%

-18%

-18%

-18%

-40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Strongly agree Somewhat agreeStrongly disagree Somewhat disagree

Teton County’s wildlife and scenic resources are a local and national treasure

Strong majorities agree that Teton County’s resources are a local and national treasure that must be protected, that the town of Jackson

should maintain its unique character, that it is a community first and a resort second, and that high-end development should not crowd out

affordable housing.

87

63

58

Agree – disagree

59

The town of Jackson should maintain its unique small-town, Western character

Teton County is a community first and a resort second

High-end development should not dominate the community at the expense of affordable housing for permanent residents


There is a strong consensus across demographic groups around protecting the county’s resources and the town’s small-town feel, making the county a community first, and that high-end

development should not dominate the area.

At least six in ten voters across demographic groups strongly agree that the county’s wildlife and scenic resources are local and national treasures that we are responsible for protecting. There is greatest intensity among college-educated women (82 percent strongly agree) and strong Democrats (90 percent).

By wide margins, voters across demographic groups net agree that Jackson should maintain its unique small-town, Western character, that Teton County is a community first and a resort second, and high-end development should not dominate the community at the expense of affordable housing for permanent residents.

Women are particularly likely to agree that Jackson should maintain its small-town character (64 percent strongly agree; 50 percent among men). Women also express particular intensity around the idea that high-end development should not dominate the community (59 percent to 47 percent among men). Intensity is even higher among college-educated women (66 percent).


Jackson town residents express particular agreement around maintaining small-town character and not letting

high-end development dominate.

Those who identify as living inside the Jackson town limits express greater intensity than other voters around the town maintaining its small-town character (62 percent strongly agree to 54 percent), being a community first and a resort second (62 percent to 52 percent) and that high-end development should not dominate the community (60 percent to 50 percent).

Additionally, Democrats are more likely than Republicans and independents to strongly agree that the county’s wildlife and scenic resources are local and national treasures that we are responsible for protecting (86 percent strongly agree to 65 percent and 72 percent) and that high-end development should not dominate the community (67 percent to 42 percent and 46 percent).

However, Republicans are most likely to express intensity around the idea that Teton County should maintain its small-town western character (64 percent strongly agree to 52 percent among Democrats).


Now let me read you some statements around the vision for Teton County as it moves into the future. For each, please tell me what priority you place on each one for Teton County – top priority, high priority,

somewhat of a priority, a little priority or no priority at all?

38%

50%

34%

36%

28%

40%

33%

40%

32%

40% 87%

91%

92%

84%

95%

-4%

-5%

-3%

-2%

-9%

-8%

-8%

-6%

-14%

-4%

-30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Top priority High Priority Somewhat priorityNo priority at all A little

We should maintain and enhance environmental quality, including air and water quality

As the county moves into the future, half of Teton County voters believe maintaining and enhancing environmental

quality, including air and water quality, is the top priority. Strong majorities rate each of these as high priorities.

We should set aside scenic vistas and wildlife habitat

We should maintain outdoor recreation and adventure opportunities

We should offer a variety of housing types, especially for resident workers

We should promote economic sustainability that does not depend on population growth


Women are more likely than men to identify these as top priorities, but both groups focus on

environmental quality as a top priority.

50%46%

54%

38%34%

42%

36%34%

37%34%

27%

41%

28%24%

32%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Maintain/enhance

environmentalquality

Set asidescenic vistas

Maintainoutdoor

recreationopportunities

Offer housingvarieties

Promoteeconomicstability

Total Men Women



Percent Saying “Top Priority”


Younger and older voters respond similarly across most dimensions, though younger voters place

somewhat more importance on maintaining outdoor recreation opportunities.

50%49%

52%

38%42%

36% 36% 39%32% 34%36%

33%28%

31%26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Maintain/ enhanceenvironmental

quality

Set aside scenicvistas

Maintain outdoorrecreation

opportunities


Promote economicstability

Total Under 50 Over 50

Now let me read you some statements around the vision for Teton County as it moves into the future. For each, please tell me what priority you place on each one for Teton County – top priority, high priority, somewhat of a

priority, a little priority or no priority at all?


Voters under 40 show slightly more concern around outdoor opportunities and housing types.


Level of education is also an indicator of how high of a priority the statements should be as Teton County moves into the future. More educated voters place them as higher priorities than less educated

voters, although for both groups environmental quality is a top priority.

50%47%

53%

38%

32%

44%

36%31%

40%

34%30%

37%

28%

19%

35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Maintain/enhance



Maintainoutdoor




Total Non-college grad College grad





Democrats are more likely than Independents or Republicans to feel that maintaining and enhancing environmental quality, setting aside scenic vistas, and offering a variety of housing types should be

the top priority for the plan.

50%

63%

42%38%

45%

36%

29%36%

41%

25%

36%34%

45%

27%28%

28%30%

27%26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%50%

60%

70%

Maintain/enhance



Maintainoutdoor




Total Democrat Independent Republican





Comprehensive Plan

When thinking about elements of the updated Comprehensive Plan, voters place greatest importance on wildlife preservation, followed closely by preserving community character, open space preservation, and the

rate of growth.


36%

40%

33%

35%

31%

39%

37%

33%

34%

38% 91%

87%

88%

90%

92%

-3%

-5%

-3%

-3%

-5%

-8%

-13%

-6%

-7%

-12%

-40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Extremely important Very important Somewhat importantNot at all important Not too important

Wildlife preservation

Preserving community character

Open space preservation

Rate of growth in the county

Preserving existing neighborhoods

As you may or may not know, the County Commission is currently in the process of updating the Teton County Comprehensive Plan. I am going to read you a list of some issues that the updated Comprehensive Plan may

address. For each item, please tell me if you think it is extremely important to address, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all for the Plan to address.

When thinking about elements of the updated Comprehensive Plan, voters believe it is most important to address wildlife preservation, followed closely by preserving community character, open space

preservation, and the rate of growth.


30%

18%

26%

24%

30%

32%

37%

38%

37%

36%

80%

87%

81%

89%

90%-4%

-4%

-6%

-4%

-8%-18%

-12%

-16%

-11%

-10%

-30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70% 90%

Extremely important Very important Somewhat importantNot at all important Not too important

Controlling resort development

Traffic congestion/ roads

Building more affordable housing

Economic development

Growth limits

As you may or may not know, the County Commission is currently in the process of updating the Teton County Comprehensive Plan. I am going to read you a list of some issues that the updated Comprehensive Plan may address. For each item, please tell me if you think it is extremely important to address, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all for the Plan to address.

Voters place on a lower tier resort development, traffic congestion, affordable housing, growth limits, and economic development as areas to be addressed by the Comprehensive

Plan.


Most components of the Comprehensive plan resonate across demographic

groups.

Voters across demographic groups rate as net important each of the plan components tested, with the exception of economic development. Groups that feel economic development is net less important include:

Men (net –6 points less important), men over 50 (-21), college-educated women (-4), Democratic men* (-9), those who have lived in the county more than 20 years (-6), and those who say they live outside Jackson (-7).

Women place greater importance than men on wildlife preservation, preserving community character, open space preservation, the rate of growth, preserving existing neighborhoods, controlling resort development, and growth limits on the number of housing and lodging units.

Democrats express greater intensity than Republicans around wildlife preservation, open space preservation, the rate of growth, preserving existing neighborhoods, controlling resort development, building more affordable housing, and growth limits on the number of housing and lodging units.



Teton County voters are most supportive of a development plan providing affordable housing and preserving wildlife habitat and open space.

3%

1%

2%

11%

13%

14%

19%

34%

36%

36%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Don't know

None

All of the above

Must preserve agricultural land

Must widen highways/ build new roads

Must minimize traffic

Must keep population within Comp. Planlimits

Must preserve open space

Must preserve wildlife habitat/ migrationcorridors

Must provide affordable housing

If you were on the planning commission and had to approve a development, which two of the following goals would you insist the development meet before you would give your approval? (Up to two

responses accepted)


15%

51%

12%

62%

24%

60%

17%

72%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Preserve critical wildlife habitat and wildlife migration corridors

OR

Build more affordable housing*

1st strongly 1st not so strongly 2nd strongly 2nd not so strongly


When given a number of trade-off situations to consider, by wide margins voters say critical wildlife habitat preservation and

preserving more open space should trump building more affordable housing.

Preserve more open space

OR

Build more affordable housing*

Updating the Comprehensive Plan will involve some trade-offs. I am going to read you some possible trade-offs and as I read each pair, please tell me which one you think should be given greater priority. [Should the FIRST or SECOND item be given greater priority in the updated Comprehensive Plan? Do you feel strongly about that, or not so strongly]

Voters across demographic groups favor preserving habitat and open space over building more affordable housing. Women, voters over 50, Democrats, and long term county residents express particular intensity around preserving habitat.


44%

25%

20%

43% 59%

25%

37%

51%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Provide affordable housing in the Valley for a variety of workers

OR

Provide affordable housing in the Valley for emergency service workers


Voters prefer providing affordable housing for a variety of workers rather than just for emergency service workers. They

also tend to prefer that this affordable housing exist with an overall growth limit instead of allowing additional density.

Provide affordable housing by allowing additional development density

OR

Provide affordable housing within an overall growth limit



Opinions are fairly consistent across demographic groups.

Voters across demographic groups favor providing affordable housing for a variety of workers rather than for just emergency service workers.

Most demographic groups side with the idea of providing affordable housing within an overall growth limit rather than by allowing additional development density. The exceptions are voters ages 40-49, women under 50, and Republicans under 50*, who favor additional density.



33%

37%

30%

28% 42%

44%

49%

40%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Cap overall growth in the Valley

OR

Slow the rate of growth in the Valley*



Voters split between capping overall growth versus slowing the rate of growth. They lean toward favoring building more roads and widening existing highways

over a cap on growth.Updating the Comprehensive Plan will involve some trade-offs. I am going to read you some possible trade-offs and as I read each pair, please tell me which one you think should be given greater priority. [Should the FIRST or SECOND item be given greater priority in the updated Comprehensive Plan? Do you feel strongly about that, or not so strongly]

Widen existing highways and build more roads

OR

Cap overall growth in the Valley*


Many groups are fairly split between capping and slowing growth in the county. Groups that favor capping overall growth include non college-educated voters (+10 points), Republicans (+4), and those who have lived in the county for more than 20 years (+5).

Most groups prefer building roads and widening highways over capping overall growth in the county, with the exception of non college-educated men* (net –10), college-educated women* (-4), those who have lived in the county 11 to 20 years* (-9), and those who say they live within the Jackson limits (-11).



55%

16% 27%

65%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Build more resort developments

OR

Place a cap on the number of resort developments

Voters strongly prefer capping the number of resort developments over building more developments.




Majorities of all groups, except Republican men, younger Republicans*, net favor a cap on the number of resort developments. Those who respond with greatest intensity include:

Women (61 percent strongly support capping resort development), Women over 50 (66 percent), College-educated women (62 percent), Democrats (68 percent), particularly Democratic women* (71 percent), and Long term residents (61 percent).



Proposals

Majorities support more development and population density in Jackson if it means less development and density in the County

and limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Teton National Park. Majorities express willingness to pay $200 more in taxes per year for purchasing open space to

ensure wildlife habitat protection, pathways, building more affordable housing and expanding highways and improving

roads. Willingness to pay $500 in taxes for these uses is significantly lower, except around housing.


32%

19%

25%

20%

34%

56%

60%

49%

63%

49%

-15%

-28%

-17%

-15%

-26%

-34%

-32%

-42%

-45%

-31%

-60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%

Strongly favor Somewhat favorStrongly oppose Somewhat oppose

More development/population density in Jackson, less in Teton County*

Limit Jackson growth due to closeness to Grand Teton National Park

Annex, develop land near Jackson*

Annex, develop land in Jackson, preserve equal amount of County land*

More development/population density in Jackson*

Please tell me if you favor or oppose each of the following proposals. (If favor/oppose, ask: Do you strongly or somewhat favor/oppose?)

*Split sampled question*Split sampled question

Majorities support more development and population density in Jackson if it means less development and density

in the County and limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Teton National Park.


Opinion is fairly consistent across groups.

Voters across most demographic groups net support more development and population density in Jackson if it means there would be less development and density in Teton County, limiting growth in Jackson due to its proximity to the Grand Tetons, and Annexing and developing land adjacent to Jackson if an equal amount of land elsewhere in the County is preserved from development.


Those who most intensely favor more development and population density in Jackson if it means there would be less development and density in Teton County include: Men (40 percent strongly favor), college-educated men* (55 percent), and

Democrats (46 percent).



27%

15%

27%

21%

52%

59%

52%

59%

-30%

-27%

-27%

-27%

-39%

-46%

-39%

-46%

-70% -50% -30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70%

Very willing Somewhat willing Not at all Not very willing

Purchasing open space to ensure that critical wildlife habitat is protected

Build more affordable housing in Teton Co.

Highway expansion and road improvement

Pathways

Now I have a few questions on a different topic. If someone proposed a tax increase of 200 dollars per taxpayer per year to provide funds for specific uses in Teton [TEE-TAHN] County, tell me how willing you would be to pay more taxes for each of the following -- very willing, somewhat willing, not very willing, or not at all willing.*


Majorities of roughly six in ten express willingness to pay $200 more in taxes per year for purchasing open space to ensure wildlife habitat protection and pathways. Narrow majorities are willing to pay more for building more affordable housing and

expanding highways and improving roads. Intensity is strongest around habitat protection and pathways, though it is relatively limited across the board.


17%

11%

15%

14%

37%

48%

50%

50%

-33%

-40%

-35%

-35%

-47%

-62%

-48%

-48%

-70% -50% -30% -10% 10% 30% 50% 70%

Very willing Somewhat willing Not at all Not very willing

Now I have a few questions on a different topic. If someone proposed a tax increase of 500 dollars per taxpayer per year to provide funds for specific uses in Teton [TEE-TAHN] County, tell me how willing you would be to pay more taxes for each of the following -- very willing, somewhat willing, not very willing, or not at all willing.*


Purchasing open space to ensure that critical wildlife habitat is protected

Build more affordable housing in Teton Co.

Pathways

Highway expansion and road improvement

Willingness to pay $500 more in taxes per year is substantially lower for purchasing open space to ensure that critical wildlife habitat is protected, pathways, and highway expansion

and road improvement. Voters split over willingness to pay more for habitat protection, affordable housing, and pathways, while majorities are unwilling to pay this amount for

highway expansion and roads.


Men express greater willingness than women to pay $200 more in taxes to support pathways (63 percent willing to 55 percent), while women are more willing than men to pay more for building more affordable housing (56 percent to 48 percent).

Support tends to drop off across most demographic groups when the proposed tax is increased from $200 to $500 per year. Paying more to build more affordable housing is one exception with some demographic groups. Voters who maintain, or even increase their support for this policy include:

Men (48 percent willing to pay $200; 50 percent willing to pay $500), Democrats* (52 percent; 61 percent), and Those who identify as living within Jackson (52 percent; 56 percent).



Jackson as the Heart of Teton County

Voters agree that maintaining the existing character of Jackson will keep the town as the

heart of the county.


Voters agree that maintaining the existing character of Jackson will keep the town as

the heart of the county.

11%

8%

10%

13%

18%

40%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Don't know

Town is where majority of development should go

Downtown re-development is needed so that thtetown remains the heart of the county

Town is commecial hub of county

Town is cultural/social hub of county

Maintaining the existing character of the town willkeep the town as the heart of the county

On a different topic – The Comprehensive Plan refers to the town of Jackson as the Heart of Teton County. Which of the following descriptions of the town as the heart of the county do you agree with

most?

There is agreement across demographic groups, except among Democratic women*, who say the town is the cultural and social hub of the county.


Nearly half of voters say two-story buildings best represent the desired character of downtown Jackson

and a third say three-story buildings. Few would like to see bigger buildings.

3%

8%

34%

46%

5%5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Two-story Three-story

Four-story

(smaller) (bigger) don'tknow

Historically, buildings in Jackson have been two stories tall, but re-development in the past seven years has included three story buildings. What height do you think best represents the desired character for downtown Jackson?


Women, longer term residents, and those living in Jackson are most supportive of maintaining the two-

story building standard.

• There is a significant gender divide on this issue, with 56 percent of women favoring two-story buildings, while men are more split between two-story buildings (38 percent) and three-story buildings (34 percent).

• There is little difference along partisan lines, with Democrats, independents, and Republicans all favoring the two-story option.

• Shorter term residents tend to find three-story buildings acceptable (42 percent three-story; 35 percent two-story), while longer term residents favor two-story buildings.

• Jackson residents are more likely than those living outside Jackson to favor two-story buildings (51 percent to 43 percent).


Two-thirds of voters feel that buildings with landscaping and set backs are most appropriate for development

outside the Jackson town square.

2%

15%

66%

14%

4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Lot line to lotline

Landscapingand setbacks

(Both/mixture) (Neither) Don't know

The town square has traditionally had buildings built from lot line to lot line, while outside of the town square buildings are built with landscaping and set backs. Which type of development do you think is more appropriate for outside the town square?

Majorities across demographic groups say landscaping and set backs are most appropriate for development outside the town limits.


December 2007

Presentation of Findings from Research Around Development in Teton County

LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS

Documents

LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS 1 December 2007 Presentation of Findings from Research Around Development in Teton County LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS