Holladay council approves condemnation of easements for Highland Drive turn lanes; height and rezone hearings held
January 23, 2020, 6:02 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 4580 South 2300 East, Holladay
The council authorized condemnation of easements on two properties for street purposes tied to four left-turn lanes on Highland Drive, with $3 million allocated. It held public hearings on higher Holladay Village zone building heights and on rezoning a half-acre on 3900 South for a medical office, with votes to follow. Rules of procedure, a waste district board appointment and account signatories also passed. The minutes show the mayor voting on each resolution.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Public hearing
Public hearing: Holladay Village Zone maximum building heights (Title 13)
Continued
The applicant, a Village property owner proposing a project called The Terraces, asked for higher elevator shaft allowances and building heights. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended a 14-foot elevator shaft allowance (design reviewed by the Design Review Board) and maximum heights of 35 feet, 32 feet where abutting residential, and up to 38 feet with 13-foot ground-floor retail. Council Member Petersen raised concerns about density, overall height near 50 feet and rooftop amenities affecting views, and supported ground-floor retail but not residential. The applicant said the roughly 5,000-square-foot rooftop amenity would not be included without the height change. No one spoke at the hearing; no vote was taken and the mayor said the item would return February 6.
- Applicant: Chris Ensign (property owner)
- Planning Commission: unanimous recommendation
- Elevator shaft: up to 14 feet
- Heights: 35 ft, 32 ft abutting residential, 38 ft with 13 ft retail
Item 3 · Public hearing
Public hearing: rezone 2006 and 2020 East 3900 South from RM to Professional Office
Continued
Just under half an acre west of the Black Diamond project would be rezoned from Residential Multi-Family to Professional Office for a 5,000-square-foot single-story medical office with a 2,500-square-foot basement. One neighbor spoke about traffic and the building wall near bedrooms; the mayor said design issues belong to the later site plan hearing and that he saw no concerns with the rezone. No vote was taken.
- Applicant: Adam Watts
- Current zone → proposed: RM → Professional Office (PO)
- Proposal: 5,000 sq ft medical office plus 2,500 sq ft basement
- Size: just under 0.5 acre
Item 4 · Roads and utilities
Resolution 2020-02: Condemnation of easements for public street purposes (Highland Drive)
Approved · 6-0
The council authorized condemnation of easements on two properties for street purposes in connection with four left-turn lanes on Highland Drive. Funding of $3 million was allocated to the project.
- Budget$3.00 million
Item 5 · Roads and utilities
Resolution 2020-03: Condemnation of easement for public street purposes (one property)
Withdrawn
Staff reported an agreement had been reached with the property owner on a fence height issue and a new agreement was being drafted. The item was removed from the agenda.
Item 6 · Other
Resolution 2020-04: City Council rules of procedure
Approved · 6-0
The council adopted updated rules of procedure.
Item 7 · Appointment
Resolution 2020-05: Appointment to the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District board
Approved · 6-0
The mayor recommended Council Member Dan Gibbons, and the council approved the appointment.
Item 8 · Other
Resolution 2020-07: Authorized signatories on financial accounts
Approved · 6-0
Signatories were added: Mayor Dahle, Council Members Fotheringham and Petersen, and City Manager Gina Chamness.
Roads and utilities
Work meeting: 3900 South reconstruction, Holladay@20 and council policies
Discussed
Engineers presented the 3900 South reconstruction from 2300 East to Wasatch Boulevard. The Holladay@20 Citizen Advisory Group said the city has $63 million in unfunded capital projects. Council Member Petersen wanted more information before deciding on the Village height request, and staff will return with language on allowing council members enrolled in the state retirement system to make salary contributions. No action was taken.
What residents said
Building height and density in the VillageTraffic and light impacts on neighbors of a proposed medical office
None during the general comment period. At the 3900 South rezone hearing one neighboring resident raised concerns about light and the building wall near bedrooms, and traffic; the mayor said these were site plan issues.