Park City calls on residents to shape the next decade of growth

Winter Wonderland: Park City on a Bluebird day. Photo: Park City Chamber/Bureau

PARK CITY, Utah—Residents of Park City are invited to share their vision for the city’s future at the first General Plan Community Open House on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Miners Hospital in City Park.

The comprehensive update to the General Plan is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for residents to weigh in on the direction they see Park City moving in. This update addresses regional development, balancing visitor and resident needs, affordability and livability, and transportation solutions.

“The General Plan is one of the most important tools we have to ensure that Park City’s future reflects the community’s aspirations today,” stated Mayor Nann Worel, emphasizing the importance of resident participation.

The General Plan update is progressing through five phases, with the city currently in Phase 3. The first two phases focused on analyzing existing conditions and gathering community feedback, which continues in the current phase. Phases 4 and 5 will concentrate on finalizing the plan, with the goal of adoption by the summer.

In Engagement Window 1, the city conducted neighborhood meetings, a statistically valid survey, five Advisory Board meetings, a Technical Committee meeting, a General Plan Advisory Group meeting, and one-on-one City Council interviews. Neighborhood-specific open houses have been ongoing since December.

The current Engagement Window 2 includes the citywide open house on March 4, 2025. Engagement Window 3 will focus on plan sharing.

“We are grateful to everyone who has participated in our neighborhood-level outreach so far, and we encourage you to stay involved as we move into citywide visioning,” said Planning Director Rebecca Ward. She highlighted the importance of the open house in identifying both the city’s desired future and the elements residents wish to preserve.

The existing conditions analysis has identified key trends shaping Park City’s future:

• Population Growth: Over the next five years, population growth is expected to increase by approximately 1%. According to projections from the Mountainland Association of Governments, Park City’s full-time population is anticipated to grow by only 202 residents (2%) between 2030 and 2050. However, pipeline developments could lead to a higher growth rate.
• Daytime Population Increase: Park City experiences a significant daytime population increase of approximately 81% due to incoming workers, compared to a 14% increase for the County. The city’s daytime population consists of 80.55% commuters and 19.45% residents.
• Employment Growth: By 2050, Park City is expected to have approximately 27,158 employees—an increase of about 6,000 compared to 2020. This growth is expected to impact traffic and commuting patterns significantly, especially if additional workforce housing is not developed within the city.
• Aging Population: Park City’s largest age group has shifted from the 25–29 age range in 2010 to the 60–64 age range today, reflecting an aging demographic. While Summit County’s median age has decreased, Park City’s population is aging.
• Housing Trends: Median home prices continue to rise. Of the city’s 8,585 housing units, only 33% are occupied, compared to 52% for the County. This leaves 67% of Park City’s housing units vacant, with 77% of these (4,438 units) designated for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use—accounting for more than half of the city’s overall housing stock.
• Affordable Housing: In 2021, Park City had 651 affordable deed-restricted units, with 69% designated as rentals and 31% as owner-occupied. To support its workforce and middle-class residents, the city needs to develop an additional 800–1,000 units over the next five years.

Regional growth in Summit and Wasatch counties and the expanding Wasatch Front present both challenges and opportunities. The updated General Plan will build upon Vision 2020, focusing on environmental leadership, sustainable tourism, transportation innovation, affordability, and equity.

Residents can stay engaged and learn more about the General Plan Update by visiting the project website.