Council caps new water use at 200,000 gallons a day and rejects 1945 South 1300 East rezone
December 7, 2021, 7:00 p.m. · Hybrid meeting
The council adopted a ban on new commercial or industrial uses averaging over 200,000 gallons of potable water a day, lower than the 300,000 proposed, and rejected a rezone at 1945 South 1300 East. It also adopted Sugar House design standards, two alley vacations and a sewer code update, and deferred the East Bueno Avenue rooming house rezone, Redwood Road rezone and rooftop commercial amendment. Council Member Darin Mano was absent.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Local Building Authority budget amendment No. 1, fiscal 2021-22 | Approved · 6-0 |
| Seven grant applications (joint hearing) | Continued · 6-0 |
| Significant water-consuming land uses text amendment | Approved · 6-0 |
| Master plan amendment and rezone, East Bueno Avenue and 700 East | Continued · 6-0 |
| Rezone at Redwood Road and Indiana Avenue | Continued · 6-0 |
| Rooftop commercial uses above two stories in the FB-SE zone | Continued · 6-0 |
| Alley vacation, 1200 block of Kensington and Bryan avenues | Approved · 6-0 |
| Columbus Street alley vacation north of Victory Road | Approved · 6-0 |
| City consent to subleases at The Leonardo | Approved · 6-0 |
| Sugar House Business District design standards text amendment | Approved · 6-0 |
| Rezone at 1945 South 1300 East | Denied · 6-0 |
| Budget Amendment No. 4, fiscal 2021-22 | Continued |
| Sewer pretreatment code revisions to match EPA rules | Approved · 6-0 |
| Consent agenda: grant holding account items, batch 3 | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B.1 · Budget
Local Building Authority budget amendment No. 1, fiscal 2021-22
Approved · 6-0
The Local Building Authority board adopted a resolution amending its fiscal 2021-22 budget, including a $10.5 million Sales Tax Series 2012A refunding of LBA bonds (item D-1). The authority's capital fund covers only debt service for the Glendale and Marmalade libraries.
- Bond$10.5 million
- Resolution 5 of 2021 (LBA)
Item E.1-7 · Public hearing
Seven grant applications (joint hearing)
Continued · 6-0
The council held one hearing on seven grant applications: Granary District flood plain mitigation and re-mapping (for at least 1,182 properties in a 750-acre flood hazard area), a new water reclamation facility influent pump station and force mains, the Point Hotel conversion to about 100 extended-stay units for adults over 55 and veterans, five Bonneville Shoreline trailheads in the foothills, Union Pacific crossing safety upgrades at 4900 West 700 South, the 800 East Neighborhood Byway from 1300 South to 1700 South, and a solar and storage program for underserved communities. Two residents supported the trailhead grant and one opposed the 800 East byway, saying bulb-outs and traffic circles are hazards for bicycles. The hearing was closed and the items sent to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given
Item E.8 · City code
Significant water-consuming land uses text amendment
Approved · 6-0
The council adopted Ordinance 69 after lowering the proposed cap from 300,000 to 200,000 gallons of potable water per day: any new commercial or industrial use averaging more than 200,000 gallons a day is prohibited. The motion also started legislative actions asking the administration to study further conservation policies (zoning, rates, supply and demand) and to seek commitments from parties to existing Northwest Quadrant development agreements. Nine speakers supported the ordinance and asked for a lower limit and a pause on water permits; one opposed it, saying it could keep businesses from upgrading systems and that the University of Utah should be covered.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-00635
- Ordinance 69 of 2021
- Limit: 200,000 gallons of potable water per day (annual average), down from 300,000 proposed
Item E.9 · Zoning
Master plan amendment and rezone, East Bueno Avenue and 700 East
Continued · 6-0
The council heard a request to rezone seven parcels on East Bueno Avenue from SR-3 to RMF-45 and amend the Central Community Master Plan to allow a 4-story, 65-unit rooming house and an amenity building on a consolidated site. Seven speakers opposed it, citing the master plan, a lack of affordability, traffic and parking, demolition of restorable homes, the Planning Commission's lack of support and precedent. Six supporters said it offers a different housing type, that current residents were helped to relocate, and that the existing homes lack foundations and sewer service is in disrepair. The applicants, the applicant and the applicant, said it is an affordable concept and described the funding. The hearing was closed and action deferred.
- Petitions: PLNPCM2021-00047 and -00048
- Units: 65
- Current zone → proposed: SR-3 → RMF-45
Item E.10 · Zoning
Rezone at Redwood Road and Indiana Avenue
Continued · 6-0
After staff review and no public comment, the council closed the hearing and deferred action on rezoning two properties from R-1/5,000 to R-MU-45.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-00249
Item E.11 · City code
Rooftop commercial uses above two stories in the FB-SE zone
Continued · 6-0
The council heard a text amendment letting FB-SE properties citywide have rooftop commercial uses above the second story, subject to a 30-foot height. The applicant, Paxton Guymon, and one supporter said rooftop dining is critical for restaurants. Two speakers opposed, citing parking, noise and a lack of noise buffering, and suggested a conditional use process next to residential properties. The council closed the hearing and deferred action.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-00431
Item E.12 · City code
Alley vacation, 1200 block of Kensington and Bryan avenues
Approved · 6-0
The council vacated the City-owned alley running from 1300 East to the McClelland Trail. The applicant said the neighborhood supports the closure and no one commented.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-00413
- Ordinance 70 of 2021
Item E.13 · City code
Columbus Street alley vacation north of Victory Road
Approved · 6-0
The council vacated about 2,750 square feet of alley next to properties on North Columbus Street and Victory Road after a hearing with no public comment.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00564
- Ordinance 71 of 2021
Item E.14 · Other
City consent to subleases at The Leonardo
Approved · 6-0
With no public comment, the council first moved to close the hearing and defer the item, then voted to reconsider and adopted Resolution 50 giving city consent to subleases at The Leonardo, whose building is financed with city-linked bonds.
- Resolution 50 of 2021
- Procedural votes: close and defer (6-0), reconsider (6-0), adopt (6-0)
Item E.15 · Zoning
Sugar House Business District design standards text amendment
Approved · 6-0
The council adopted Ordinance 72 incorporating Sugar House Master Plan design guidelines into the Sugar House Business District zone, covering facade design, doorway spacing, glass transparency and public-way improvements. Two speakers supported it and suggested a 150-foot height for street-facing buildings, 10-foot sidewalks and walkable park strips.
- Ordinance 72 of 2021
Item F.1 · Zoning
Rezone at 1945 South 1300 East
Denied · 6-0
The council voted to reject the ordinance that would have rezoned the property from RMF-35 to RMF-45 for a multifamily development.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-01022
Item F.2 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4, fiscal 2021-22
Continued
The minutes record only that the item was moved to a future meeting.
Item I.1 · City code
Sewer pretreatment code revisions to match EPA rules
Approved · 6-0
The council adopted Ordinance 73, which updates the city's sewer pretreatment code (the affirmative defense provision) to match federal requirements. Staff described it as housekeeping with no expected effect on users; it takes effect after the state regulatory process.
- Ordinance 73 of 2021
Item J.1 · Budget
Consent agenda: grant holding account items, batch 3
Approved · 6-0
The council approved Grant Holding Account items (Batch No. 3) tied to Budget Amendment No. 5.
What residents said
Water conservationEast Bueno Avenue rooming houseRooftop noise and parkingTrail erosion in the foothills
Speakers on the water ordinance largely supported a lower cap. Others raised trail erosion in City Creek, social worker staffing and a park and detached homes in the Fleet block area.