DON’T TAKE AWAY OUR HEALTHY HIGHLAND COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE

The Issue

Regarding green space at 5400 W 11200 N, Highland, UT.

Petition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to not sell any part of the green space.

and

Petition to the City of Highland, UT to only allow open green space or park on these parcels of land in perpetuity.

------------------------------------------------------------------

The sights, sounds, air and natural beauty of this green space has served the community for 50+ years.
Green space is a significant driver of mental, physical and emotional health for children and adults.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471/#sec5-ijerph-18-04790
This land is unique green space as it is in one of the oldest parts of the city and serves as the only open natural space serving a significant part of the city. (see map image).
The health benefits of the green space to the community significantly outweigh the resource and maintenance allocations. The value outweighs the cost.
Removing part of this green space will have negative impact to the community health and wellness.

More information can be viewed HERE

_________________________________________________________

To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

As of August 20, 2025, this petition serves as evidence to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the signers found herein have a desire to ask the church officials - current and future - to consider not selling any or part of the parcels 11:039:0026 & 11:039:003, which are located at 5400 W 11200 N, Highland, UT 84003. It is the desire of the signers herein that the softball fields either remain as softball fields/green space, or be approved to only be allowed as an official city park.

Furthermore, we propose that if The Church decides to divest the property, that it donate the softball field area to the City of Highland, UT with the condition that the city convert the use of the field into an official city park.

AND

To the City of Highland, UT:

As of August 20, 2025, this petition serves as evidence to the City of Highland, UT that the signers found herein have a desire to ask the city officials - current and future - to consider the zone use on parcels 11:039:0026 & 11:039:0031, which are located at 5400 W 11200 N, Highland, UT 84003 to never change and/or allow any other use of the property other than for green space/park. (Precluding commercial and residential development)

(both parcels are currently owned by the “CORP OF PRES BISHOP CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LDS” aka: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

We understand that the owner of the parcels aforementioned has the right to sell all or part of the parcels. It is the desire of the signers herein that the softball fields either remain as softball fields/green space, or only be approved as an official city park.

Simply put, we ask that the city keep this petition in mind for any future zone change requests for said parcel.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Highland CommunityPetition Starter

Media inquiries

400 The Issue

Regarding green space at 5400 W 11200 N, Highland, UT.

Petition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to not sell any part of the green space.

and

Petition to the City of Highland, UT to only allow open green space or park on these parcels of land in perpetuity.

------------------------------------------------------------------

The sights, sounds, air and natural beauty of this green space has served the community for 50+ years.
Green space is a significant driver of mental, physical and emotional health for children and adults.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471/#sec5-ijerph-18-04790
This land is unique green space as it is in one of the oldest parts of the city and serves as the only open natural space serving a significant part of the city. (see map image).
The health benefits of the green space to the community significantly outweigh the resource and maintenance allocations. The value outweighs the cost.
Removing part of this green space will have negative impact to the community health and wellness.

More information can be viewed HERE

_________________________________________________________

To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

AND

To the City of Highland, UT:

(both parcels are currently owned by the “CORP OF PRES BISHOP CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LDS” aka: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Simply put, we ask that the city keep this petition in mind for any future zone change requests for said parcel.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Highland CommunityPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Support now

400 The Decision Makers

Highland City Council,

4 Members

1 Responded

Utah

Doug Cortney

Highland City Council

“I think we would all like to maintain green space in Highland. I certainly would. Open spaces, after all, are a big part of what sets Highland apart. That said, it sounds as if there may be some confusion about this land. It is currently zoned for low-density residential. (The Highland zoning map is available here, and it's the R-1-40 zone.) Churches are a conditional use in this zone -- there isn't a "church" zone -- which means they're allowed if the owner can mitigate impacts beyond normal, residential use. Without any zoning changes, the current owner could build a half dozen or so homes on that land. If the current owner sells those two parcels, any new owner could likewise build those same homes. Instead of homes, it could also be converted to an orchard, a horse pasture, a library, a museum, or an art gallery (among other possibilities). Or, yes, a park; most of our parks are in this zone. I am a strong supporter of property rights. I believe eminent domain should be used rarely and only for things the community needs, not things it merely wants (no matter how badly they're wanted). Furthermore, I think that unreasonably limiting someone's use of their land is the same as seizing it through eminent domain. Prohibiting a nuclear power plant in our residential zones strikes me as reasonable, for example. Prohibiting any use except a maintained grass field that's available for anyone to use does not strike me as reasonable. That leaves four options here to meet your goal. 1) The current owner could decide to maintain ownership and continue using the land as is. 2) The current owner could donate the land to the city. It could then be converted to a public park. 3) The current owner could sell the land to the city, which could then convert it to a public park. I expect the cost of this would be well over $5 million -- just to acquire the property at market value -- and I don't believe the city presently has funding available to make such a purchase. 4) The current owner could sell it to someone else, who could then choose to maintain it as is or donate it to the city. Until and unless someone decides to donate this land to the city -- or to sell it at a cost wildly below market value -- I don't see much that the city can do to achieve your goal. If I'm missing an option, please let me know; as I mentioned earlier, I am also very interested in maintaining open spaces in Highland. (There is a link to my email address below.) (All of the above is based on my understanding and my calculations. Note that I'm not a lawyer or a zoning professional. Actual mileage may vary.) — Doug Cortney, Council Member Highland City, Utah dcortney@highlandut.gov”