Council approves 704 East 900 South rezone 6-1 with a 50-year preservation agreement, adopts Rocky Mountain Power rezone and Urban Forest Plan
February 21, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
The Council rezoned 704 East 900 South to Small Neighborhood Business 6-1, with Council Member Ana Valdemoros opposed, on conditions in a development agreement. It unanimously adopted the Rocky Mountain Power rezone, the Urban Forest Action Plan, the 130 North 2100 West overlay change for supportive housing and the Local Link update, and approved the Bridge to Backman land exchange. The ADU ordinance was pulled from the agenda. Council Member Daniel Dugan arrived after the meeting began.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Revised Black History Month resolution | Approved · 6-0 |
| Urban Forest Action Plan (public hearing) | Approved · 7-0 |
| $3.5 million HOME-ARPA grant funding (public hearing) | Continued · 7-0 |
| Land exchange for the Bridge to Backman project (public hearing) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Rezone at about 130 North 2100 West (public hearing) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Local Link Study update to the 2013 Sugar House Circulation Plan (public hearing) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Zoning map amendment at about 704 East 900 South | Approved with conditions · 6-1 |
| Rocky Mountain Power rezone | Approved · 7-0 |
| Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) text amendment | No action |
| Closed captioning, Eccles Theater agreements, advisory board and Sister Cities ordinances | Approved · 7-0 |
| Consent: hearing dates set and board appointments | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item A5 · Other
Revised Black History Month resolution
Approved · 6-0
The Council reconsidered and approved a revised joint resolution with Mayor Mendenhall recognizing February as Black History Month, correcting omissions in the version approved Feb. 7.
Item B1 · Other
Urban Forest Action Plan (public hearing)
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 03 of 2023 adopting the final Urban Forest Action Plan, which guides the city's tree-related actions on sustainability and equity goals and will inform a future zoning amendment on trees. One resident thanked the Council for the plan.
Item B2 · Budget
$3.5 million HOME-ARPA grant funding (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The hearing covered a resolution to authorize use of $3.5 million in one-time ARPA HOME funds from HUD for housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and domestic violence survivors. A representative of The Alliance House said the organization planned to apply to build a housing facility for its members. Two other speakers raised accountability for housing plans and the idea of using an abandoned school as a shelter. The Council closed the hearing and referred the item to a future date for action.
- Grant$3.50 million
Item B3 · Roads and utilities
Land exchange for the Bridge to Backman project (public hearing)
Approved · 7-0
With no public comment, the Council closed the hearing and voted to support the exchange of city open space at 592 N. Riverside Drive for an equal-size parcel with Riverwood Cove, LLC, enabling a public park, outdoor classroom and a walking and biking link to Backman Elementary.
- Land deal$0 to Riverwood Cove, LLC
Item B4 · Zoning
Rezone at about 130 North 2100 West (public hearing)
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 04 of 2023 removing the property from the Airport Flight Path Protection Overlay Influence Zone B so a hotel building can operate as permanent supportive housing, primarily for people age 62 and older. One speaker supported it as important transitional housing and mentioned freeway noise and a need for open space and traffic control; another urged the city to measure whether such projects succeed.
- Petitioner: Friends of Switchpoint
- Petition No.: PLNPCM2022-00833
Item B5 · General plan
Local Link Study update to the 2013 Sugar House Circulation Plan (public hearing)
Approved · 7-0
With no public comment, the Council adopted Ordinance 05 of 2023, making the Local Link Study an official update to the Sugar House Circulation Plan; the study evaluates transit options including streetcar extensions to the Brickyard, Millcreek and Holladay.
Item C1 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at about 704 East 900 South
Approved with conditions · 6-1
The Council adopted Ordinance 06 of 2023 rezoning the 0.24-acre property from R-2 to SNB, despite the Planning Commission's negative recommendation, with conditions to be set through a development agreement: retain the existing structure for at least 50 years, maintain at least four dwelling units, and no rentals of less than 30 consecutive days to the same individual. Council Member Valdemoros voted no.
- Petitioner: the applicant
- Petition No.: PLNPCM2022-00251
- Current zone → proposed: R-2 → SNB
- Conditions: retain structure 50 years; at least four dwelling units; no rentals under 30 consecutive days
Item C2 · Zoning
Rocky Mountain Power rezone
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 07 of 2023 rezoning 1223 West North Temple and portions of three neighboring properties from M-1 and TSA-SP-C to TSA-Urban Center-Core for new Rocky Mountain Power headquarters.
- Petitioner: Rocky Mountain Power
- Petition No.: PLNPCM2022-00450
Item C3 · City code
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) text amendment
No action
The item was pulled from the agenda.
Item F1-F4 · City code
Closed captioning, Eccles Theater agreements, advisory board and Sister Cities ordinances
Approved · 7-0
Voting on one combined motion, the Council adopted Ordinance 08 of 2023 requiring closed captioning to be activated on televisions in public areas; Resolutions 03 and 04 of 2023 amending two interlocal agreements among the city, the RDA, the Utah Performing Arts Center Agency and Salt Lake County for operating the Eccles Theater, related to cost increases and funding ongoing maintenance; Ordinance 09 of 2023 requiring Indigenous tribal representatives among the Parks, Natural Lands, Trails and Urban Forestry Advisory Board's at-large members; and Ordinance 10 of 2023 amending the Sister Cities Board.
Item G1-G6 · Other
Consent: hearing dates set and board appointments
Approved · 7-0
The Council set March 7 hearings on Budget Amendment No. 5 for fiscal 2022-23 (including more City Hall earthquake repairs, public safety radio upgrades, police recruitment and retention bonuses and emergency rental assistance), the Northpoint Small Area Plan (Petition PLNPCM2022-00687) and the Glendale Regional Park Plan for the 17-acre former Raging Waters site. It appointed Jeff Driggs and Matthew Coles to the Arts Council (terms ending Feb. 21, 2026) and Justice Morath to the Transportation Advisory Board (term ending Sept. 28, 2026).
What residents said
Construction dust, noise and trucks near 2200 WestGreat Salt Lake dustNorthpointe planSanctioned campgrounds
Speakers raised the Northpointe Small Area Plan (including one who favored Business Park zoning for its restrictions), coordination on the Great Salt Lake, affordable and safe housing in the ADU ordinance, construction truck speeding, noise, diesel exhaust and dust near 2200 West, toxic dust from dry lake beds and opposition to House Bill 527, a request to pause the Northpointe rezone for environmental review, sanctioned campgrounds and small shelters for unsheltered residents.