Forwarded from City of Woodland Hills <noreply@everbridge.net> Subject: City of Woodland Hills Transparency Report February 27, 2021- No Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:42:36 +0000 (UTC) City of Woodland Hills Transparency Report February 27, 2021- No Trespassing Zone See: https://www.woodlandhills-ut.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/No-Trespass-Zone... Community of Woodland Hills City Report Prepared by the Woodland Hills Transparency Committee February 26, 2021 NOTE: Opinions and information published by the Transparency Committee are not official City positions. They represent the perspective of the Transparency Committee, and of the person(s) quoted or interviewed. While we strive to publish the most accurate information possible, plans and decisions can change quickly as new information is acted upon by City officials. Accordingly,the following information is accurate as of the date of publication, but beyond that time some details may become outdated. The city has created "no trespass" zones in our mitigation areas. How will this ordinance impact you? First, a quick review of zoning in the city Cities use zoning to limit what activities can take place in certain areas. Although nearly all of Woodland Hills is zoned for residential construction, there are a few exceptions. For example, the park and city center are in zones designated for physical facilities. The farmland in the lower part of the city is in an agricultural zone. And city ordinances also allow for commercial zoning, although we currently have no areas zoned that way. Some zones also have what is called an "overlay," which can define additional allowances or restrictions. How are our mitigation areas now zoned? Much of our flood mitigation was constructed on residential lots, so the land had to be re-zoned. Officially, it has now been zoned as physical facilities, with a mitigation and no trespass overlay. No one can legally enter these areas except city employees to do landscaping or other maintenance. Split rail fencing is planned to set off these areas, with a soft-surface walking trail just outside the fence. This new ordinance is entitled 2021-07. You can read the full text at this link on the city web site: https://www.woodlandhills-ut.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0113_001.pdf Why the no trespassoverlay? Residents had already begun to use these areas for biking and ATV riding in the fall, and for sledding in the winter. These kinds of activities can potentially break down mitigation structures and damage the landscaping plannedfor beautification. Recreational activity can also pose a risk of injury. Because these areas are now on city land, restricting those activities reduces the city���s liability. How did the City Council arrive at this decision? The city held three public hearings to get input. Most of the participants were residents living near the mitigation zones. Their main concerns were that the original environment be restored and that the woodland serenity be maintained. Because some of this area is close to the entrance to the switchbacks, residents also expressed concern over the area becoming a public gathering or parking place. Sensitive to these concerns, the City Council asked John Wallace to form a neighborhood committee to gatherinput. The council considered that information in weighing their zoning decision. How will the "no trespass" be enforced? Although the ordinance doesn���t specify a penalty, in Utah the violation of a no trespass order can result in charges ranging from an infraction to a class B misdemeanor. The city simply asks all residents to respect the new ordinance so that the mitigation structures and local environment can be preserved. This reportwas authored by Glenn Anderson for the Woodland Hills Transparency Commit