Another request is before Escalante Planning and Zoning to turn a regular home into a Holiday Home. There’s another one on 300 S that wants to do the same. Too many?
All safety issues aside, are we turning our family oriented town into a resort? With declining enrollment in our schools, an increase in vacant, absentee owners, fewer family wage jobs – does every request to convert a 3+ bedroom home to a holiday home only psh us in that direction a little faster?
This is a good example of how City Policies and Ordinances shape a town. So look at it from a financial/business perspective.
How much does Escalante City get in Hotel/Motel Tax during the season? And by the way, the season is 6 months long (with two fringe months that fluctuate with the weather). What percentage of the annual income does that represent? What is the average expenditure from visitors into the local economy? (i.e. food, gas, gifts, maps, guide services, etc?) This information is available from City Hall and the Travel Council.
In comparison, how much does the average family of 4 contribute to the local economy year-round? That information is available from the Governor’s Economic Council.
So lets look at the 2010 Census results:
Population – 797 18 yrs old +=621 or 176 minors.Ethnicity – 745 white – 52 other with 28 Hispanic, 16 Indian, 4 Asian and 1 black
Total Housing Units – 420 Occupied 334 or 80% - Vacant 86 or 20%
When the Garfield County School Board met in Escalante last week their proposal for declining enrollment was to combine the Elementary and High School students at the High School. They indicated a savings of $50,000 a year. We’ve lost 15+ students the past couple of years and we’re going to lose 6 more (that we know of) this summer.
What do you want Escalante to look like in the future? Do you want it open year-round with business services available? Be sure to voice your opinion to the City Council members on Holiday Homes. It will make a difference to the business owners of Escalante whether they provide goods and services year-round or during the season. It’s your town, you decide.
