Creek feud boils
Authored by Derek Jensen
Source: Salt Lake Tribune
Property owners express frustrations over the Salt Lake City’s riparian corridor ordinance. The ordinance protects waterways within 100 feet of the creek.
Council decision restricts new construction near creek banks
Scores of east-end property owners say they've been unfairly blamed for polluting streams that meander out of the mountains.
And now, the residents who live along the water's edge are riled over a City Council decision - in a bid to eradicate erosion - to restrict new construction and other ground disturbances within 100 feet of creek banks.
The 6-to-1 vote came in mid-January despite a capacity crowd of 100-plus on hand to log laments.
One east-bench resident who moved to Salt Lake City from Vietnam told the council the new rule reminds him of a communist land grab.
Others suggested the restrictions are an "attorney's dream," predicting the effort will plunge the capital into court.
"I don't need an ordinance to convince me of the prudence of erosion control," said David Darley, who owns property along Emigration Creek.
The ordinance outlines new building limits within 100 feet, 50 feet and 25 feet, which become more restrictive closer to the waterways. In many cases, new decks, steps or sheds may be prohibited, or at least require a permit.
