Editorial Board: The Suburbs Need to Make Room for New Residents

Utah has generally made room for single-family homes in the past, but the Salt Lake Tribune thinks its time for new plans as the state faces demographic changes and worsening affordability.

1 minute read

July 3, 2018, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Salt Lake City, Utah

Andrew Smith / Flickr

The editorial board of The Salt Lake Tribune is making the case for infill development in suburban communities.

The editorial is written to support a campaign announced recently by the Salt Lake Chamber to develop affordable housing around the Wasatch Range region. Tony Semerad provides news coverage of that campaign in a separate article.

Included in the editorial, however, is this pointed response to development opponents who set no growth stances as the rule:

Residents perform an important civic duty when they question new developments. They are one-time decisions with far-reaching effects. But they can’t draw a line in the sand. We will double the population in the Salt Lake Valley in the next 30 years. The valley can’t get bigger, only denser.

Monday, July 2, 2018 in The Salt Lake Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog