Holladay council denies Highland Drive rezone 5-1, continues Crossroads zone and re-adopts stormwater fee
February 18, 2021, 6:00 p.m. · Held electronically (virtual meeting)
The council denied the rezone of 4545, 4549 and 4551 South Highland Drive from R-2-10 to RM, 5-1, with only Council Member Paul Fotheringham in favor. It continued the Holladay Crossroads zone ordinance to March 4, re-adopted the stormwater utility fee ordinance because the earlier version was codified in the wrong chapter, and approved an emergency operations plan. The count includes the mayor, who voted no.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item VII · Zoning
Ordinance 2021-01: Rezone 4545, 4549 and 4551 South Highland Drive from R-2-10 to RM
Denied · 1-5
The 0.95-acre site has three single-family homes; R-2-10 would allow seven or eight units and RM up to 14. The Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval. Council Members Petersen, Quinn, Durham and Gibbons and the mayor gave reasons for opposing, including capturing unclaimed density, neighborhood character and community sentiment. Council Member Fotheringham supported the rezone, citing general plan consistency and nearby commercial uses.
- Acres: 0.95
- Current zone → proposed: R-2-10 → RM
- Planning Commission: 5-2 in favor
Item VIII · Zoning
Ordinance 2021-02: Adopting the Holladay Crossroads zone (Title 13, Chapter 66)
Continued · 6-0
Proposed landscaping subsections were to be removed for later revision and the effective date set for April 30, 2021. The city attorney raised concerns about buffer fencing language and neighbor-triggered height requirements, and Council Member Gibbons proposed language allowing Planning Commission waivers. Discussion covered hours of operation, alcohol uses, 24-hour gyms and a 200-foot residential buffer. The council continued the item.
Item IX · Taxes and fees
Ordinance 2021-03: Stormwater utility fee (Title 17, Chapter 40)
Approved · 6-0
The ordinance was approved again because the previous one was codified in the wrong chapter; the substance is unchanged.
Item X · Public safety
Resolution 2021-04: Emergency operations plan (NIMS and ICS)
Approved · 6-0
The council approved the emergency operations plan.
Item III-VI · Public hearing
Public hearings: Crossroads zone, waterway development (13.76.400), Holladay Village zone (13.71) and tobacco sales (10.56)
No action
No one commented on any of the four hearings and each was closed (the Crossroads hearing closed at 6:15 p.m.).
Item XII · Roads and utilities
City manager report
Discussed
The 3900 South project begins on the east end with a proposed 25 mph construction zone, and the Highland Drive intersection project starts March 15 for completion in mid-July. A pickleball court acrylic overlay was estimated at $15,000 with a 7 to 10 year lifespan. Police arrested a fraud suspect in a case with over 100 victims.
- Purchase$15,000
Item XIV · Other
Work meeting: grants, traffic calming, council policies, town halls
Discussed
Staff reported a 71% grant success rate and 214 traffic calming requests from June 2019 to February 2021, mostly speeding and parking. Proposed council policy additions included an audit committee. The noon town hall on February 11 had low attendance, and roundtable discussions were proposed.
What residents said
Canal trail privacy and securityHighland Drive density and neighborhood characterTraffic calming requests
Three residents raised concerns about a proposed canal trail: that neighbors only recently learned of a survey, that a newspaper remark made the project seem further along (with over 27 residents sending one email of 11 questions), and privacy, security and parking. Council Member Gibbons said the survey was a preliminary effort, no decision had been made and no city money had been spent.