Public Access to Trails

RE: March 6th Planning Commission Meeting to hear request for “Amending Plat” for a three-lot parcel located at the entrance/only reasonable public access into Deaf Smith’s Canyon.

Want to look for mutually acceptable and beneficial outcome for all parties.

Those parties include:

The public. The public wants and is entitled to "thoroughfare" on what has been public use for more than ten years (according to Statute). Public is also concerned about protection of water quality (Little Willow Creek flows along the northern edge of said parcel).

The landowner. The landowner is interested in developing owned land.

The city. The city must follow State Code as well as applicable County and City Code.

My interest as the elected municipal representative for this area is to explore how both public and private owner can meet their objectives through a conciliatory, respectful, lawful process. We have tools at hand such as State Code and Cottonwood Heights SLEDS (Sensitive Lands Evaluation & Development Standards) Ordinance and talented, dedicated staff, city attorney and Planning Commission.

In 2023, I engaged with an attorney representing the water district related to the State's adjudication of water rights. This includes water flow, private irrigation company rights for taking, etc. It turns out that Little Willow Creek does not flow into the Metro Water District treatment plant. It is diverted for commercial irrigation use and the remainder flows, ultimately, to the Great Salt Lake.

More recently I have engaged city staff, attorney and the State Ombudsman’s Office/Property Rights. I am doing all I can to understand and apply law and precedent to protect the Public’s trail access along the Wasatch Front, while not turning our foothill area into a series of parking lots.