According to experts in housing policy, the greatest opportunity Moab has to decrease housing costs is zoning reform. Needed reforms would allow more and different kinds of low- and middle-income housing to be constructed. Another force driving up housing costs in Moab is demand from second homeowners.
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
Jason Taylor
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
I support locals defending or speaking up for what they want in their neighborhoods. Changes in such things like density could have a negative impact on the current residents, and they need to have a voice.
Reform of city zoning in the future may be limited to future, undeveloped parcels while working with developers. We must work to develop affordable housing for full-time, year-round residents.
If elected, I look forward to working on the Walnut Lane project and other projects that will hopefully help alleviate the stress of Moab families finding a place to live.
Jason Taylor, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
Options for second home owners already exist. I do not think we should complement the demand.
Development should compliment full-time locals and protect options for full-time residents. It would be great to see incentives for sellers and developers to sell to locals before second home owners.
The vision for Walnut Lane is exciting and will benefit Moab families.
In the county, the High-Density Housing Overlay the county passed in 2019, which restricts occupation to those working full-time and residents of Grand County, is a good move.
We need to continue working towards affordable housing for low- to middle-income families in Moab.
Jason Taylor, candidate for Moab City Council
Randall Fox
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I know from many conversations how frustrated many of the citizens of Moab are about the tourist-driven expansion, but tough love demands that we face the truth: We’re never going back to life as we knew it 5 years ago.
My hope is that, instead, we can reason together to reverse a little of the damage done while moving forward to ensure everyone contributing to our economy has a safe and secure home. We need a new and better vision!
Randall Fox, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
Yes we need to build more housing, but judiciously and dependent on what hydrologists determine our aquifer resources to be.
That said, not everyone who works here needs a house. I’ve heard the idea of bunkhouses thrown around, but my experience with seasonal guides and bike people strongly suggests that’s not appropriate.
Instead, how about extended-stay hostels? A small private room with wi-fi, shared baths, and a communal kitchen with room-specific shelving and delineated refrigerator space? Perhaps a bit bigger room for couples with a private bath? One-month renewable leases and everyone has upkeep responsibilities. Pets extra.
Randall Fox, candidate for Moab City Council
Mike McCurdy
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
The simplest and easiest solution is to reform zoning in areas where it will have the smallest impact on locals. Newer areas outside of fully developed, original neighborhoods are a good place to start.
Virtually everyone who comes to Moab has access to a vehicle and doesn’t have to live within a few blocks of Main Street. Apartments are what Moab needs, and there are plenty of great locations for apartments that wouldn’t cause a rift with existing neighbors.
Mike McCurdy, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
The demand for more housing is definitely there. So, if we restrict the supply, prices will only go up more.
Full-time locals who already own a home benefit from any increase in their property values. For those who don’t own, there are some good ideas out there on deed restricted properties with a lower bar for entry.
And, again, apartments should be there to bridge the gap between home ownership and renting.
Mike McCurdy, candidate for Moab City Council
Luke Wojciechowski
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
I see how the inability to find safe, affordable housing causes suffering across our entire community every day in my work at Seekhaven. It is the reason I decided to run for council.
Affordable housing and keeping existing neighborhoods livable and community-focused are both important, and they shouldn’t conflict if we do things right. To start, we should make simple but targeted code changes to support solutions we actually all want.
These include making it easier for locals to build ADUs, modernizing parking requirements, and fixing incentive programs so that newly built, deed-restricted housing for locals is actually financially feasible.
Luke Wojciechowski, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
Any future increases in density should be for housing for people who live and work in the Moab area.
We know that the free market is not going to solve our housing problems — no matter how many new units get built. The extreme demand from outside buyers for vacation homes means that they always out-compete locals trying to find or keep safe housing in town.
We need to localize our local housing market again, and we can do this with zoning and incentive programs that make it easy to build dedicated workforce housing and difficult to build second homes.
Luke Wojciechowski, candidate for Moab City Council
Anthony Charles
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
On heavy traffic roads, change the codes to allow homeowners to build noise walls that are more than four inches up to six inches, unless it blocks the view of an intersection. In some places, build noise walls along the sidewalks.
Anthony Charles, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
No, and it’s all about universal basic income, meaning we rewrite the tax code like this:
We make a 10-12% tax on the tourism industry that will be given to year-round locals at $500 per month after the first year, so we can build up a bank to make sure everyone gets it.
This is not unemployment!
Let’s say that 8% of the tax goes toward the $500 per month, and let’s say the tax is set at 12%. We take the remaining 4% and give it to non-profits each month and change the non-profits.
Anthony Charles, candidate for Moab City Council
Josie Kovash
How will you overcome the neighborhood defending (or NIMBYism) that plagues efforts to reform the city’s zoning?
I like thoughtful, methodical progress. We can initially focus on building out current allowed densities, which can inform future zoning reform.
Housing policy should be data-driven and community-led. We should know what we want as much as we know what we don’t want, finding solutions on common ground that reinforce rather than undermine what people love about their neighborhoods.
This takes engagement from everyone and a willingness to fully workshop ideas. Envisioning solutions should be exciting! We are only limited by our imaginations.
Our economic health as a community — all of us — depends deeply on ensuring secure housing for all.
Josie Kovash, candidate for Moab City Council
Should Moab allow more housing development to complement the demand from second homeowners? If not, how would you protect full-time locals in the local housing market?
Market-driven housing solutions are not enough. We need to continue developing parallel frameworks for creating housing in addition to just incentivizing developers to be part of the solution. Creativity and collaboration are important.
Moabites are becoming homeowners with the help of Community Rebuilds, the housing authority, and the land trust. We should expand on their success and use zoning reform to support diverse solutions — accessory dwelling units, tiny homes, and more.
We can also consider emergency measures like Crested Butte’s program to facilitate temporary camping on private property. These measures can act as test runs for more long-reaching policy ideas.
Josie Kovash, candidate for Moab City Council
Mayoral candidates on their commitment to the job
Without a vote on legislation, the vital role the mayor plays is being the face of the city — a liaison between Moab and the rest of the world, particularly the State of Utah. Another major element of the job is conflict resolution between council members, city staff, and the public.
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
Bill Winfield
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
Moab needs representation in our local and state level that is approachable, reasonable, and trustworthy. Trust takes time to build and is rooted in relationships.
Each citizen of Moab, regardless of race, sexuality and income, has important knowledge and experiences that deserve to be heard, not just the elite.
If elected mayor, I will consider it my full-time job and do everything I can to make a Moab we can be proud of.
Bill Winfield, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
If you want to be heard, you have to be willing to put your emotions aside and listen to both sides of a situation. Only then can you work towards an outcome that works for both parties.
I have experience negotiating contracts between union workers and contractors in Nevada, making difficult board decisions, and advocating for others.
I am not afraid of conflict, but I try to avoid it with transparency and education.
Bill Winfield, candidate for Moab City Council
Sherri Costanza
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
As much as I can, daily. I want the community to actively participate in its government. You’re only as great as your community is, so…
Sherri Costanza, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
I have four kids and come from a large family. Conflict resolution is my life!
I stay humble, listen and behave and respond in a way to ensure all involved feel heard.
Conflict isn’t always negative. Being the center of conflict can happen from disagreement. I am a fierce advocate for what I believe in.
Sherri Costanza, candidate for Moab City Council
V. Kent Green
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
I just recently retired, so I will have a lot of time!
Being the mayor is a full-time job, and I would treat it as such. If elected, being the mayor would be my only focus.
I plan on establishing office hours during the week so constituents can come talk to me. I would look forward to working with officials across the state and abroad, as well as officials in the county.
I will always be available for city staff, as they are the heart and soul of Moab’s inner workings, and I am eager to hear ideas from them.
V. Kent Green, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
As a retired deputy sheriff and business owner, I have had my fair share of conflict.
I understand that there are going to be people out there who have disagreements with myself and the city, and that is their right. It has been my experience to listen to what the person or persons have to say.
From there, I would identify the problem and then work with the right people to come to a resolution. I know that we can’t make everyone happy, but we can do our very best for a positive outcome that benefits the community as a whole.
V. Kent Green, candidate for Moab City Council
Aaron Davies
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
Since I have my own business as a Realtor, I have significant control of my work schedule. The needs of the city will vary week to week and I will be able to adjust and be flexible with how I use my time.
I have already begun to make changes, getting used to adding in additional work time into each week, including attending council meetings. I have considered the effect this workload could have on my business and life and I am ready to commit my time and energy to be able to serve the community when it is needed.
Aaron Davies, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
I have a wide range of work experience and education that prepares me to help resolve conflicts. This includes managing a few restaurants. I have received corporate training in team leading and team building.
There has been an emphasis on psychology in my personal relationships. I am able to understand different viewpoints and help find common ground. I am able to compromise and admit when I am wrong.
I focus on narrowing down to be clear and specific about goals and priorities. I am able to put aside personal pride to find the best answers for the group.
Aaron Davies, candidate for Moab City Council
Stephen J. Stocks
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
I am self-employed. My schedule is flexible, and I can accommodate in-person, phone, or Zoom meetings with constituents, city staff, and statewide officials.
If elected, I plan to have a monthly town hall-like meeting, over Zoom or in person, to listen to community concerns.
My goal as mayor would be to facilitate communication and understanding between the community, the council, department heads and city staff, while advocating for Moab City needs at the state level.
Stephen J. Stocks, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
As an attorney, conflict resolution is part of my job.
I negotiate, communicate, research and problem-solve by listening, understanding issues, speaking clearly, and taking concrete action. When people disagree with my position, I take the time to explore their point of view to find common ground.
As chair of the Grand County Change in Form of Government Study Committee, I led a seven-person, bipartisan citizen group — the origin of which was extremely contentious — through several months of meetings, research, staff interviews, community town halls, and civil discourse to reach a consensus on a recommended form of government.
Stephen J. Stocks, candidate for Moab City Council
Joette Langianese
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
I will be available as needed to meet with the Moab community.
During the Utah State Legislative session each year, I will be available to participate in any potential legislative discussions that could impact Moab and Grand County.
It is my intent to take an active role in working with city staff to ensure the city is running smoothly and that the focus is on the needs of Moab residents.
Joette Langianese, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of situations where thorough discussions were necessary to come to a resolution. This includes working with land agencies, state and federal officials, and the general public.
The most important attribute in these situations is to listen and being attuned to what the concerns are of each side.
Once I have an understanding of positions of all those involved, I use my knowledge and experience to mediate the best solution even if it is contrary to my own.
Joette Langianese, candidate for Moab City Council
Norm Knapp
How much time will you have during your day to meet with constituents, city staff, and officials across the state?
I have a great support staff at Canyonland Auto Sales, and we have discussed the commitment of this position.
I will be able to commit the time needed to properly carry out all of the duties the office and community needs and requires.
Norm Knapp, candidate for Moab City Council
What is your experience in conflict resolution, particularly when you are seen as part of the conflict?
With over 30 years of experience owning and managing businesses, negotiation is a well-practiced skill of mine.
I believe I can help to bring situations of conflict to a resolution by listening to both sides, applying those skills and experiences to get an outcome beneficial for both.
