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Residents tell council burning lanterns threaten hillsides; Stonehaven seeks interim bus or sidewalks
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Summary
A Canyon Road resident reported multiple burning sky lanterns on nearby hillsides, urging city action on fire risk; a Stonehaven parent updated the council that the school district declined a new bus and asked the city to press the district or provide interim help until sidewalks are built.
During the public-comment period on March 11, two residents urged the council to address safety problems affecting neighborhoods.
Michael Nichols (S6), who lives on Canyon Road, said he saw a flaming object in the sky late at night, recovered several burned items near his home in subsequent days and warned they present a wildfire risk where cheatgrass is present. "I thought there was a plane on fire in the sky," Nichols said, describing the object as "really flaming" and urging the city to develop a way to address launches that could ignite hillsides.
Mikael Heckle (S9) of the Stonehaven neighborhood updated the council on his meeting with the school district's bus coordinator and school safety staff regarding a requested stop. Heckle said the district was not favorable to adding service and that there remains no safe walking route south of 600 South toward Sunrise. He asked the council to press the district for a bus or consider interim measures until sidewalks can be installed.
Council response and next steps
Council members thanked both speakers and encouraged staff follow-up. The mayor noted the city has contacted UDOT on a separate traffic-signal timing issue; on the sky-lantern concern, Nichols said he left items with the city and sought a clearer police response. No formal policy or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting; councilors recommended staff investigate legal options and enforcement mechanisms and coordinate with public safety officials.
Ending
The council closed public comment and proceeded with the regular agenda; staff follow-up was requested for both safety and school-transportation concerns.
