Council allows restaurants in Public Lands zones, makes police equity commission permanent and approves $7 million parking loan
September 7, 2021, 7:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
The Council adopted an ordinance allowing restaurants in the Public Lands zoning district, made the Racial Equity in Policing Commission permanent, renamed People's Freeway Park the Ballpark Playground and approved a $7 million state infrastructure bank loan for a parking structure, all 6-0. It deferred action on the Nielsen Estates rezone, fence height rules and an airport USO lounge fee waiver. Council Chair Amy Fowler was absent.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Police grant application hearing (VOCA, mental health and wellness, asset forfeiture) | No action · 6-0 |
| Central Business Improvement Area 2022 hearing | No action · 6-0 |
| Rezone of Nielsen Estates near Hoyt Place and West 200 North | Continued · 6-0 |
| Permitting restaurants in the Public Lands zoning district | Approved · 6-0 |
| Fence, wall and hedge height requirements | Continued · 6-0 |
| Waiver of airport lease fees for a USO military service members lounge | Continued · 6-0 |
| Meeting remotely without an anchor location | Approved · 6-0 |
| Pledge of supplemental sales and use tax revenues to bond payments | Approved · 6-0 |
| Racial Equity in Policing Commission ordinance | Approved · 6-0 |
| Renaming People's Freeway Park to Ballpark Playground | Approved · 6-0 |
| Utah State Infrastructure Bank loan for a parking structure | Approved · 6-0 |
| Consent agenda: grant holding items, hearing dates and six appointments | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B.1-B.3 · Public hearing
Police grant application hearing (VOCA, mental health and wellness, asset forfeiture)
No action · 6-0
Heard as one hearing with no public comments: the 2021 Victims of Crime Act grant continuing victim advocate positions and costs for the police facility dog, a 2021 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act grant from the U.S. Justice Department, and a 2022 State Asset Forfeiture grant for confidential informant funds in narcotics cases. Council Member Mano asked for information on which grants the city had received; the mayor said she would work with Council staff. The grants were referred to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Office for Victims of Crime
- GrantAmount not given to U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Item B.4 · Public hearing
Central Business Improvement Area 2022 hearing
No action · 6-0
There were no public comments on the resolution to renew the downtown special assessment area. The Council closed the hearing.
Item B.5 · Zoning
Rezone of Nielsen Estates near Hoyt Place and West 200 North
Continued · 6-0
Seven speakers addressed the rezone of two single-family parcels to SR-3 for a planned development that would keep the existing home and add six attached homes. Four opposed, citing effects on the community, displacement of people of color, loss of affordable ownership, nearby transit-area zoning and not being heard, and one urged keeping the home and rejecting the proposed roadway. Another supporter of saving the home opposed the zoning change. One speaker supported it, noting infrastructure work had occurred, and asked the developer to update neighbors. The Council closed the hearing and deferred action.
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/5,000 and R-1/7,000 → SR-3
- Petition: PLNPCM2018-00877
Item B.6 · City code
Permitting restaurants in the Public Lands zoning district
Approved · 6-0
With no public comment, the Council adopted Ordinance 49 of 2021 allowing restaurant uses in the Public Lands District, subject to the same 20,000 square foot minimum lot area and 75 foot minimum width as other uses there.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00503
Item B.7 · City code
Fence, wall and hedge height requirements
Continued · 6-0
One speaker supported the limits as protecting privacy for residents next to mixed-use projects. Another opposed adopting them without more analysis and public engagement and said construction fencing was lacking. A third said fences taller than 6 feet should be allowed in some situations. The Council closed the hearing and deferred action.
- Limits: 4 feet front yards, 6 feet side and rear yards, with exceptions
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00511
Item B.8 · Contract
Waiver of airport lease fees for a USO military service members lounge
Continued · 6-0
With no public comment, the Council closed the hearing and deferred action on waiving lease fees so the USO can operate a free lounge at the airport. Council Member Rogers thanked the mayor and Airport Director Bill Wyatt for their support.
- FeeAmount not given to United Service Organizations (USO)
Item E.1 · Other
Meeting remotely without an anchor location
Approved · 6-0
The Council ratified the chair's determination to keep meeting remotely without an anchor location.
Item E.2 · Taxes and fees
Pledge of supplemental sales and use tax revenues to bond payments
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Resolution 30 of 2021 pledging the 0.5% supplemental sales and use tax, enacted in 2018 as part of Funding Our Future, to payment of the city's sales and excise tax revenue bonds.
- BondAmount not given
Item F.1 · City code
Racial Equity in Policing Commission ordinance
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 50 of 2021 making the commission a permanent city board. It advises the mayor and Council on eliminating racial discrimination in policing; it completed a first year under a joint resolution and issued recommendations in June on police policies, officer training and school safety.
Item F.2 · Parks
Renaming People's Freeway Park to Ballpark Playground
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 51 of 2021 renaming the Public Utilities-owned, Parks Division-managed park. Both departments supported the change.
Item F.3 · Roads and utilities
Utah State Infrastructure Bank loan for a parking structure
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Resolution 31 of 2021 authorizing a $7 million loan from the Utah State Infrastructure Bank toward a parking structure. Council Member Valdemoros asked about the city's liability if the state defaulted; Cindy Gust-Jenson said the city would ultimately be liable but default was highly unlikely. Council Member Dugan said the structure would reduce the area's parking footprint rather than add to it.
- Bond$7.00 million to Utah State Infrastructure Bank
Item G · Other
Consent agenda: grant holding items, hearing dates and six appointments
Approved · 6-0
The Council approved grant holding account items tied to Budget Amendment No. 2, set Oct. 5 hearings on rezones at 554 and 560 South 300 East, 461 South 400 East and the 2100 South/200 East parcels and on the Elm Avenue alley vacation, set Sept. 21 for the Budget Amendment No. 2 hearing, and approved Mike Christensen (Planning Commission), Alejandro Moya and Colour Maisch (Art Design Board), Josanne Glass and Sarah Longoria (Arts Council Board) and Carlton Getz (Historic Landmark Commission).
What residents said
Displacement in Nielsen Estates rezoneFoothills trailsInland Port water useGreat Salt Lake
Speakers raised the Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry and Trails board's communication, the Inland Port's water use, Foothills Trails planning and artifacts, water conservation and the Great Salt Lake, the Pantages Theater, a proposed shelter in the Ballpark area and police presence.