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South Valley Riverton Journal

Herriman City Holds Public Hearing for Blackridge Residents

May 05, 2016 03:49PM ● By Hope Zitting

By Hope Zitting | [email protected]

South Valley - “Whereas, the City Council finds a need for a parking permit program that will increase access to residents, increase traffic/pedestrian safety by reducing traffic congestion, reduce the adverse environmental impact on an area created by excessive air and noise pollution and the accumulation of trash and refuse on public streets… Whereas, after careful consideration, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Herriman to adopt an ordinance creating a parking permit program.”

On March 30, the Blackridge Reservoir community of Herriman gathered inside the City Council Chambers, located in the Herriman City Council Building at 13011 South Pioneer Street in Herriman for a Public Hearing in regards to the potential parking permit program that Herriman City has recently considered implementing.

The public hearing began at 6 p.m. It started with a Call to Order and Public Comment, and immediately proceeded to the Public Hearing Agenda. Tami Moody, the Director of Administration and Communications within Herriman City, introduced the public hearing for the proposed parking permit area for the residents surrounding the Blackridge Reservoir. 

The Herriman City Council Chambers were filled with residents; only a few seats were left to claim. One after one the Blackridge Reservoir residents handed in their Public Comment papers. Written upon these papers were words filled with concern, praise, and overall commentary. 

Herriman City mayor Carmen R. Freeman called each individual that handed in their Public Comment forms by name up to the podium located in the middle of the City Chambers. There, the resident stated his or her name and recited his or her address. Thereafter, the resident was able to voice their comments or concerns with the potential parking permit program Herriman City is considering.

On Jan. 13, Ordinance No. 2016-01 of Herriman Utah, An Ordinance Adopting a Parking Permit Program, was passed and approved. 

Therein the ordinance, labeled 6-7-11 Parking Permit- Activities Permitted, it states, “A motor vehicle bearing an area regular permit or guest permit properly displayed as provided for herein, shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the parking permit area for which the permit has been issued without being limited by parking regulations or prohibitions solely applicable to commuter vehicles. The permit does not exempt drivers or owners from complying with general parking regulations and penalties imposed by an applicable traffic code or ordinance. All other motor vehicles not bearing an area permit or guest permit properly displayed as provided for herein that are parked within a parking permit area shall be subject to the commuter parking regulations established in the declaration of designation, and the penalties provided for herein.”

This means that, even though the Herriman residents live on the property, they cannot park outside of their house on the street if need be. This issue was brought up to the City Council and Mayor during the public hearing a myriad of times.

“I bought the property I live on. I should be able to park outside of my house if I want without having to pay for a permit. This should be included with the house I bought,” a Herriman City resident said during the public hearing.

Another concern that residents repeatedly voiced was their stance on permits when other people were temporarily invited over. How Ordinance No. 2016-01 is currently written, it explains that every single vehicle parked in the permit area must need a permit or be subject to violation of the program.

“If I have friends and family over at my house… I don’t know why they would need permits,” another Herriman City resident in attendance said. Herriman City later stated that if residents in the affected area decided to have a gathering, they would need to call the City to let them know and be aware of the vehicles without permits.

After nearly 20 residents voiced their opinions and comments, the Blackridge Reservoir Parking Permit Program Public Hearing came to a close immediately succeeding the Mayor’s and Council’s comments and a call for an adjournment was agreed upon.