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South Valley Riverton Journal

Blackridge Community Votes on Parking Permit Program

Apr 08, 2016 09:26AM ● By Hope Zitting

By Hope Zitting | [email protected]

South Valley - On March 2, there was a public meeting and open house with the Blackridge Reservoir community. It was held at the Herriman City Council Building located at 13011 South Pioneer Street. 

“I think it’s needed. I don’t think we really have a choice. This is the only option,” Herriman City resident Tracie said. Tracie was speaking in respect to the Blackridge Reservoir’s proposed parking permit program that could be implemented this coming summer.

 “We’re seeking to solve some issues — the parking issues and what goes along with the parking issues. We have people barbequing in other people’s yards, thefts that are occurring … I’m hoping this will solve the problem. We want to be real cautious with it. We don’t want to solve one problem and then create another problem. That’s why what we’re doing, we’re really looking towards residents and their input and seeing what they want to see in the parking permit program because we’re proposing that, hoping it’ll be a solution,” District 3 City Councilmember Craig Tischner said.

The residents were able to vote during the open house. “We’re meeting with all these residents to see if they want to do a parking permit program. And on the map, you’ll see orange dots — those are the people who voted to have the parking permit,” Assistant City Manager Gordon Haight said. 

The public meeting and open house provided the community with answers to their questions, as well as many posters and handouts that explained in detail the nature and purpose of the Blackridge Reservoir parking permit program. 

“There exist certain facilities within the City, such as schools and parks which attract commuters seeking parking in nearby areas which are predominantly residential in nature. The increase demand often exacerbates the severe shortage of on-street parking for residents in such areas,” the ordinance adopting the parking permit program states.

Two permits and one guest permit will cost $25 and a replacement permit can be purchased for $5. The residents have an option to not buy the parking permit, but they will not be able to park in front of their house if they choose to do so, while others who have a permit will be able to park in front of a resident’s home. 

“I came undecided. I definitely have some concerns still, but I guess I’ll have to see how it plays out, but it’s better than it’s been in years past, so hopefully it’ll help,” Blackridge resident Heather Leister said during the open house. “We had people park in front of the house and we can’t get out. We have a lot of kids on our street, and sometimes people don’t pay attention to stop signs. It’s like you’re waiting for an accident to happen. I’m hopeful that this will decrease traffic. That’s my main concern.”

“We’ve got a lot of great input from the residents. I think this is a good, relatively low-cost solution and we are excited to implement it if we get the majority we need. This is a great first step and I think, really, a nice example of citizens and the city working together. It’s one of those things where we have a lot of comment. It’s relatively inexpensive and we think we really need something to alleviate the problems. It’s been rough on them,” District 4 Councilmember Nicole Martin said.