OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2021 IN THIS ISSUE:
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BRADBURN BRIEF Dear Sandy Resident, Fall is here and temperatures are finally getting cooler! It has been a hot and dry summer but thanks to the conservation efforts of Sandy residents, the city has saved hundreds of millions of gallons of water. Unfortunately, there is real risk that we will continue to face massive droughts in the future. 70 percent of residential water usage in the city comes from watering lawns. I encourage all Sandy residents to take the time this fall to learn more about water wise plants and various irrigation methods that save water. Throughout my term as Mayor, I have made police and fire compensation a priority. Neighboring cities have recently implemented pay raises for their police departments in an effort to attract qualified candidates to their departments. Sandy City takes great pride in the caliber of officers we employ. With the recent uptick in crime, it is not the time to lose good officers. Last month, the city council voted to adjust the compensation for police officers to match what neighboring cities are offering. While we will never be able to pay these men and women what they deserve, this is a vitally important decision to ensure Sandy residents will continue to receive the qualified level of public safety expected in the city. Don’t forget you can always engage with us at sandy. utah.gov and SandyNow.com and by accessing our social media channels Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @sandycityutah and on YouTube as @sandycityut for regularly updated information. Additionally, please sign up for city alerts at sandy.utah.gov/citizen-connect. You can send me a direct email at mayor@sandy.utah.gov. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor! Mayor Kurt Bradburn I S S U E # 86
S andy Journal .com
O C TO B E R – N OVE M B E R 2 021
Bradburn Brief ..................................... 1
Sandy Arts: Big Fish .............................. 3
Hillside Protection Ordinance ............... 1
October Jobs Corner ............................ 3
City Council Corner .............................. 2
Parks & Recreation .............................. 4
By the #s: Community Development ..... 2
Domestic Violence Awareness Month.... 4
Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety ............ 2
Fall Bulk Waste Program....................... 5
Emergency Preparedness Tips .............. 2
Sandy Visual Art Show.......................... 5
Alta Canyon Sports Center.................... 3
Trick or Treat Event ............................... 5
River Oaks Golf Course ........................ 3
Calendar of Events............................... 5
Code Enforcement Corner
Sensitive Area Overlay Zone: Sandy City’s “Hillside Protection Ordinance” Beginning in 1978, Sandy City first adopted an ordinance dealing with hillsides, native vegetation, waterways, and geological hazards. These are cumulatively called “Sensitive Areas”. The regulations have been modified and updated several times since 1978 and are currently regulated in the Sensitive Area Overlay Zone, or SAOZ. This could be considered the city’s “hillside protection ordinance”. The purpose of this ordinance was to address development standards for the properties that have sensitive areas. The regulations were created to provide standards, guidelines, and criteria to minimize flooding, erosion, and other environmental hazards. Also, protecting the natural scenic character of the sensitive areas is an important consideration. Some examples of the protected areas include properties that have 30 percent or greater slopes, earthquake fault lines, and rock fall hazards.
Many properties include some of these hazardous areas, such as steep slopes (30% or greater) or natural waterway. Many properties owners do not realize that there are restrictions on what they can and cannot do to these areas. More recent subdivision plats (post-1990) identify where these sensitive areas are on the lots and information about land use restrictions. This list includes some of the prohibited actions within the Sensitive Area Overlay Zone: 1. No dwelling or accessory structures shall be constructed within an average of 20 feet of a continuous hillside slope of 30 percent or greater. 2. All fences located on slopes of 30 percent or greater shall ONLY be dark brown, dark green or black vinyl coated chain link to blend in with the native landscaping. No other fence types allowed. 3. Vegetation shall ONLY be removed when necessary for the construction of approved and permitted buildings, roads, and filled areas. 4. No grading, cuts, fills, or terracing will be allowed on a continuous hillside of 30 percent or greater slope, unless otherwise determined by the Planning Commission. 5. Buildings and structures constructed in areas designated by Sandy City as Wildland—Urban Interface Areas shall be constructed using ignition-resistant construction as determined by the Fire Marshal. Any property owners considering making any adjustments to your property, please call the Community Development Department at (801) 568-7250 to find out if your property is within the Sensitive Area Overlay Zone and what the possible restrictions are. You can also read about the Sensitive Area Overlay Zone at bit.ly/SAOZone. Additionally, Sandy City has created a website that identifies what geologic hazards are found within the city boundaries: bit.ly/UtahHazardsMap. P A G E
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