The current controversy concerning the proposed Olympia Hills development evokes issues larger than its neighborhood or Salt Lake County.
As discussed in the media, one can empathize with the neighbors not wanting such nearby high density development, for how it may affect traffic, air quality, property values and overall quality of life. When Mayor Ben McAdams and the Salt Lake County Council first considered the project, he likely had to balance those issues with the realities of population forecasts for Utah — a doubling of population by 2050. McAdams likely realized that such high density developments are necessary to accommodate these forecasted increases.