Santa Clara to hear public comment on park impact fees and geologic hazard rules

Santa Clara residents get three public hearings at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4: a parks impact fee amendment, a new section 4.3.5 on rockery and segmental block retaining walls in the city's Construction Design Standards, and a proposed Chapter 15.34, Geologic Hazards, in city code. The City Council meets in the council chambers at 2603 Santa Clara Drive, according to a notice posted on the Utah Public Notice Website, and its agenda lists action on all three. ^[1][2]

Parks Director Ryan VonCannon told the council at its Oct. 14 work meeting that the amended impact fee study restores the Clary Hills Trail, realigns the Pioneer Parkway Trail away from the road, and changes the cemetery level of service from acres per thousand residents to plots per capita. The changes would raise the maximum impact fee by about $8, and all other elements are unchanged, according to the minutes and the draft Resolution 2026-20R. ^[2]

Public Works Director Casey Stratton told the council at the Oct. 14 work meeting that the proposed retaining wall section has sixteen subsections covering height limits, terracing, separation from homes and pools, geogrid reinforcement, rock selection and placement with geotechnical pre-approval, segmental block specifications, drainage, structural analysis and inspections. ^[2]

The geologic hazards chapter follows the council's Oct. 14 adoption of the Sensitive Lands Overlay Zone. A staff memo says the city has no geologic hazards ordinance now and the draft is based on a Utah Geological Survey model ordinance. It would require investigations and reports for development, set minimum qualifications for investigators, require disclosure when a report is required, and include a warning and disclaimer and a hold harmless agreement. ^[2]