Council continues public hearing on downtown sports and entertainment revitalization zone after dozens speak; adopts Ballpark Station rezones and MU-8 zone
May 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
The Council heard from dozens of speakers on the proposed Capital City Revitalization Zone around the Delta Center and voted 7-0 to continue the hearing to a future date. It adopted the new MU-8 zoning district and the Ballpark Station Area rezones, a State Street rezone with affordability and parking requirements, a downtown rezone at 536 South 200 West, and a fiscal year 2023-24 budget amendment. It also sent the fiscal year 2024-25 budget and related ordinances to a June 4 hearing.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item B1 · Budget
Local Building Authority budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The Local Building Authority board held a hearing on its fiscal year 2024-25 capital projects fund budget, which covers only bond debt service for the Glendale and Marmalade Libraries. No one spoke. The board closed the hearing and referred the item to a new hearing on June 4, 2024.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item D1 · Budget
Redevelopment Agency budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The Redevelopment Agency board held a hearing on its fiscal year 2024-25 budget. No one spoke. The board closed the hearing and referred the item to a new hearing on June 4, 2024.
Item F3 · Other
Pride Month joint ceremonial resolution
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Joint Ceremonial Resolution 14 of 2024 with Mayor Erin Mendenhall recognizing June 2024 as Pride Month. Council Member Chris Wharton read the resolution, and a representative of the Utah Pride Center thanked the Council.
Item G1-G7 · Other
Seven grant applications heard as one public hearing
Continued · 7-0
The Council heard seven grant applications together: FEMA resilience grants for regional water system seismic and drought upgrades, 1200 West sewer trunkline improvements, the Fix the Bricks seismic program for single-family homes and duplexes (including continued funding for one staff position and two more), and Community Rating System flood program enrollment; a state grant for invasive weed removal and wetland restoration on the Jordan River from 700 North to 1000 North; a UDOT Safe Sidewalk grant for a wide sidewalk on Redwood Road from 900 South to Indiana Avenue; and a state grant for first responder mental health tools for 911 staff. One speaker opposed using city funds for outside projects; another supported the sidewalk and mental health grants. Council Member Victoria Petro said the sidewalk grant did not clearly state wage funding sources and asked for City Attorney and staff review before further discussion. The Council closed the hearing and referred the items to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to FEMA (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities)
- GrantAmount not given to UDOT Safe Sidewalk Program
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Department of Public Safety
Item G8 · Development
Fairmont Heights senior housing assistance at 2257 South 1100 East
Approved · 7-0
The Council held a hearing on a resolution adopting the public benefit analysis for Fairmont Heights, about 110 affordable senior housing units on 0.81 acres. The Administration intends to use $5.6 million in dormant Community Development Block Grant funds and sought authority to negotiate final terms with the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City. One speaker supported senior housing and asked for a more defined scope. The Council closed the hearing and adopted Resolution 16 of 2024.
- Grant$5.60 million to Housing Authority of Salt Lake City
- Applicant: Housing Authority of Salt Lake City
- Acres: 0.81
- Units: about 110 affordable senior units
Item G9 · Taxes and fees
Metropolitan Water District property tax proposal for fiscal year 2024-25
Approved · 7-0
The Council continued its hearing on the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy's proposed property tax increase. One speaker supported tax money for clean drinking water. Council Members Alejandro Puy and Eva Lopez Chavez said they supported the increase, saying it would invest in the city and secure water conservation and safety. The Council closed the hearing and adopted Resolution 15 of 2024.
Item G10 · Budget
Library Fund budget amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2023-24
Approved · 7-0
The Council held a hearing on an ordinance amending the Library Fund budget, including required annual true-ups of property tax increments that go to the Utah Inland Port Authority, the Convention Center Hotel and the Redevelopment Agency. One speaker supported library services; another supported libraries but opposed property taxes going to the Inland Port. The Council closed the hearing and adopted Ordinance 36 of 2024.
Item G11-G19 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 city budget and related ordinances (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The Council opened its combined hearing on the Mayor's recommended fiscal year 2024-25 budget, the Library Fund budget, the tax rate, the consolidated fee schedule, the non-represented employee compensation plan, funding for labor agreements with AFSCME Local 1004, the Firefighters Local 81 and the Salt Lake Police Association, and a pay adjustment for elected and statutory officers. Speakers opposed a pay raise for the Mayor and Council, opposed police budget and overtime increases and asked for more spending on social workers and street lighting, objected to tax increases, and asked for funding for a building and code enforcement program and for the Greenwood Project. The Council closed the hearing and referred the items to a new hearing on June 4, 2024.
Item G20 · Development
Capital City Revitalization Zone around the Delta Center (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The Council took public comment on creating a Capital City Revitalization Zone that could facilitate redevelopment around the Delta Center; the hearing ran late into the night with dozens of speakers. Supporters, including a Smith Entertainment Group executive, arts leaders backing a rebuilt Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Visit Salt Lake and downtown business owners, cited downtown growth and arts funding. Opponents and others asked the Council to preserve Abravanel Hall, require more affordable housing, slow the process, protect the Japantown area and the Buddhist Temple, protect convention and expo space at the Salt Palace, and keep revenue from going only to developers. Council Member Chris Wharton said the proposal was moving quickly because of the timeline the Legislature set for creating the district. The Council continued the hearing to a future date; tentative Council action was listed for July 2.
- Applicant: Smith Entertainment Group (developer cited in comment)
Item H1 · Zoning
Adopt MU-8 Form Based Mixed Use zoning district (Ballpark Station)
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 37 of 2024, creating the Form Based Mixed Use 8 (MU-8) district for buildings of eight stories or fewer, petition PLNPCM2023-00169. Council Member Alejandro Puy was absent for this vote.
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00169
Item H2 · City code
MU-8 zone sign regulations
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 38 of 2024, setting sign regulations for the new MU-8 district in Title 21A, petition PLNPCM2023-00959. Council Member Puy was absent.
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00959
Item H3 · Zoning
Ballpark Station Area rezone and text amendments
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 54 of 2024, rezoning properties in the Ballpark Station Area Plan to a range of districts, including MU-8, to match the plan's goals and future land use recommendations.
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00169
Item H4 · Zoning
Rezone of 1058 and 1064 South West Temple to Form Based Urban Neighborhood 2
Approved · 6-0-1
The Council adopted Ordinance 55 of 2024, rezoning two parcels to Form Based Urban Neighborhood 2 as part of the Ballpark Station rezones. Council Member Darin Mano recused himself from this item; the minutes do not state a reason.
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00169
Item H5 · Zoning
Rezone and master plan amendment at 1791 and 1815 South State Street and 118 and 120 East Coatsville Avenue
Approved with conditions · 6-0-1
The Council adopted Ordinance 43 of 2024, rezoning the State Street parcels from Corridor Commercial to Residential/Mixed Use and the Coatsville Avenue parcels from R-1/5000 to Residential/Mixed Use, and amending the Central Community future land use map, to allow a later redevelopment proposal. The motion required the future development agreement to offer at least 5 percent of units at 80 percent of area median income for at least 15 years, at least one-half parking space per unit, and at least one parking space per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. Council Member Darin Mano recused himself; the minutes do not state a reason.
- Applicant: Matthew Ratelle, Colmena Group, for the property owners
- Current zone → proposed: CC and R-1/5000 → R-MU
- Petition: PLNPCM2022-00998 and PLNPCM2022-00999
- Conditions: 5% of units at 80% AMI for 15+ years; 0.5 parking space per unit; 1 per 1,000 sq ft commercial
Item H6 · Zoning
Rezone at 536 South 200 West and Orchard Place parcels from D-2 to D-1
Approved · 6-1
The Council adopted Ordinance 39 of 2024, rezoning properties at about 536 South 200 West and 216, 224, 226 and 230 West Orchard Place from Downtown Support (D-2) to Central Business (D-1), matching a recently approved change on the neighboring property to the north. No development plans were submitted. Council Member Mano rejoined the meeting during this item and voted no.
- Applicant: the applicant, for the property owners
- Current zone → proposed: D-2 → D-1
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00730
Item H7 · Budget
Budget amendment No. 5 for fiscal year 2023-24
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted a package of items from the motion sheet, including fire hydrant rental cost increases, police recruitment and retention funding, a $3 million state appropriation for road and irrigation work at the Avenues City Cemetery, Advantage Services mobile clean team seven-day service, and an airport interest adjustment. Item A-5, which involved a roundabout and temporary traffic calming measures tied to the 2100 South reconstruction, was held open: Council Members Puy and Wharton disagreed on how to handle urgent traffic concerns, with Puy asking for a temporary solution and Wharton raising concern about Council changes to projects at final scope and asking for Transportation's input. A second motion funded D-7 for 2024 open streets events, contingent on the contract addressing bike infrastructure and alternative transportation.
- Budget$133,250
- Budget$1.42 million
- Grant$3.00 million to State of Utah
- Contract$130,649 to Advantage Services
- Budget$3.68 million
- Budget$250,288
- Item A-5 held open for further discussion
- Second motion on D-7 moved by Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez, seconded by Council Member Alejandro Puy
Item L · Appointment
Consent agenda: board appointments and hearing dates
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved the consent agenda: it set June 4, 2024 hearings on the Planning and Historic Landmark Commission membership and appeals hearing officer term text amendment and on Title 18 text amendments, and approved appointments of Natalie Moldover (Library Board), Stacee Adams and Rose Kjesbo (Sister Cities Board), Miranda Bradshaw (Transportation Advisory Board), Gabriella Huggins (Arts Council) and Bryce Wurtsbaugh (Business Advisory Board), and reappointments of Ronald McClain (Library Board) and Meggie Troili (Art Design Board).
What residents said
Abravanel Hall preservationAffordable housing near Delta CenterJapantown and neighboring cultural sitesPolice budget and overtimePay raise for elected officialsSales tax for the revitalization zone
In the general comment period, speakers urged more spending on homelessness, public restrooms and the Great Salt Lake, urged the Council to pass a cease-fire resolution, and asked that Abravanel Hall be kept as is. Hearing speakers are summarized in the items above.