That logic doesn't sit well with John Taylor, property owner and member of the Wasatch Community Council.

"In other words, they're saying, 'We know it's wrong, but we're going to pass it. Then we'll come back and study it, and if we have to fix it, we will,"' Taylor said. "That's not how you put restrictions on private property. That's wrong."

As for Thompson, he's hopeful that the council has listened to property owners' concerns and will take them into account in making a decision Tuesday.

"I really hope the city council looks at this and says, 'Let's be reasonable. Let's make sure this is good for the owners,"' he said.

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Proposed restrictions

If approved by the Salt Lake City Council, new construction, changes to existing structures and other ground disturbances will be restricted within designated buffers of creeks and streams. (* — allowed by permit only)

Not allowed within 100 feet
Leach fields (soil areas for disposal of septic-tank wastewater)
Storm-water retention ponds
Detention basins
Commercial parking lots

Ground-disturbing activity that alters area through manipulation of soil, including stream-bank armoring

Not allowed within 50 feet
New construction that increases the footprint of a pre-existing structure
*Replacement of pre-existing structure

Not allowed within 25 feet
New construction requiring heavy equipment
New solid/privacy fences
*New open fences (such as chain link)
*New construction or maintenance of access stairs or paths

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com