Council approves Smith Entertainment Group participation agreement and citywide 0.5% sales tax, 6-0, and rezones former Sears site for hospital
October 1, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
After a public hearing with more than 40 speakers, the Council voted 6-0 to approve the final participation agreement designating Smith Entertainment Group, LLC as project participant for the Capital City Revitalization Zone and to levy a 0.5% citywide sales and use tax for 30 years. It also adopted the 754 South State Street rezone with a development agreement, a parking-demolition ban, a collective bargaining resolution and four loans. Council Member Darin Mano was absent.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item A5 · Other
Joint Ceremonial Resolution 32 of 2024: Indigenous Peoples Day
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted a resolution declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Salt Lake City. A representative of Indigenous Health and Wellness Connections accepted it; Council Member Puy spoke of his Native ancestry.
Item B1 · Public hearing
Capital City Revitalization Zone participation agreement, project area and citywide 0.5% sales tax hearing
Continued · 6-0
Council heard from more than 40 speakers on the agreement with Smith Entertainment Group (SEG). Opponents said the decision was rushed and should be delayed or put to a vote, that the Planning Commission had forwarded a negative recommendation, that sales tax would push shoppers elsewhere and burden elderly and lower-income residents, that sports stadium investments rarely pay for cities, and that a developer should not receive public tax revenue; one speaker cited a newspaper poll and said residents would petition to overturn the ordinance. Supporters, including the Downtown Alliance and Chamber of Commerce, restaurant associations, Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, the University of Utah, a carpenters' union and others, said it would revitalize downtown, benefit the state and prepare for the Olympics. Representatives of Japantown and the Buddhist Temple thanked officials for protections and asked for continued involvement, and several speakers asked for Abravanel Hall's preservation and clarity on its operation. Others asked for fail-safes if the Jazz leave, transit and street activation, and consideration of nearby small businesses during construction. Council closed the hearing.
Item B2 · Public safety
Grant application: Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
Approved · 6-0
The Housing Stability Division is applying to HUD for a grant to fund lead-based paint mitigation on exterior paint, windows, kitchens and similar work, plus one new full-time position and two existing positions. No one commented. Council closed the hearing and referred it to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Item B3 · Public hearing
Northpoint Light Industrial (M-1A) zoning text amendment
Continued · 6-0
Three speakers who live or own land near the Northpoint area said earlier warehouse development had not delivered promised protections and had harmed their neighborhood and agricultural land. Council Member Petro reviewed the business park zoning that had allowed development and her efforts to change it, and Council Members Lopez Chavez and Puy praised her work and the Jordan River protections. Council closed the hearing and deferred action.
Item B4 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at about 450 East 700 South
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted Ordinance 69 of 2024 rezoning the property from RMF-35 to RMF-30 so two new houses can be built in a configuration similar to the area's historic lots; petitioner is property owner the applicant. There was no public comment.
Item B5 · City code
Driveway and loading area standards text amendments
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted Ordinance 70 of 2024 correcting identified issues in Title 21A driveway and loading area standards (PLNPCM2023-00937). No one commented.
Item B6 · City code
Monument signs in manufacturing districts text amendment
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted Ordinance 71 of 2024 allowing one monument sign for the first 100 feet of street frontage and one for each additional 250 feet, spaced at least 150 feet apart, in manufacturing districts. Petitioner is YESCO Sign Company. No one commented.
Item B7 · City code
Text amendment to prohibit demolition of dwelling units for parking uses
Approved · 6-0
After the hearing continued from September 17, speakers supported the proposal, saying there are too many parking lots and housing should not be removed for parking; one asked that parking remain available. Council Member Lopez Chavez noted the number of parking lots in District 4 that could be used for development. Council adopted Ordinance 72 of 2024.
Item B8 · City code
City-wide gas station standards text amendment
Continued · 6-0
One speaker supported the proposal. Council closed the hearing and deferred action.
Item B9 · Budget
Ordinance 73 of 2024: Budget Amendment No. 1 for FY2024-25 (final items)
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted the last items: $450,000 one-time from the Governmental Immunity Fund for claims and $50,000 from General Fund balance for economic promotion to offset Sugar House road construction. Council Members Young and Lopez Chavez thanked colleagues for support of Sugar House projects. No one commented.
- Budget$450,000
- Budget$50,000
Item B10 · Public hearing
2025-2026 HUD community development needs annual hearing
No action · 6-0
Council held the annual hearing HUD requires on community development needs for CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOPWA grants. One speaker said property owners want more options for accessory dwelling units. Council closed the hearing.
Item C1 · Zoning
Ordinance 74 of 2024: rezone about 754 South State Street (former Sears site) from D-2 to D-1
Approved with conditions · 6-0
Council adopted the rezone for an urban hospital, subject to the applicant executing the attached development agreement. Petitioner is Kirton McConkie. Council Member Lopez Chavez thanked the applicant for entering the agreement, Council Member Puy said street activation would be a strong part of the project, and Council Member Young called the evening's theme 'hard fought victories'.
Item C2 · Zoning
Ordinance 75 of 2024: add hospitals and ambulance services as conditional uses in D-1
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted the text amendment adding hospitals (including accessory lodging) and indoor and outdoor ambulance services as conditional uses in the D-1 Central Business District.
Item E1 · Development
Resolution 31 of 2024: Capital City Revitalization Zone final participation agreement, project area and designation of Smith Entertainment Group
Approved · 6-0
Council approved the final project area and participation agreement and designated Smith Entertainment Group, LLC as project participant. The motion added that the city will work with the county, SEG and others on a plan to preserve, renovate and operate Abravanel Hall at its current location, and recognized the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. City Attorney Katie Lewis said the final agreement included the development areas Council approved in July. Council Member Petro said the project was about Salt Lake City and county relationships and the arts, and that fail-safes were included. Council Member Puy said the tax excludes groceries and the agreement funds affordable housing and justice for Japantown. Council Member Wharton thanked skeptics for helping craft a better product. Council Members Lopez Chavez, Dugan and Young also spoke in favor.
- FeeAmount not given to Smith Entertainment Group, LLC
Item E2 · Taxes and fees
Ordinance 68 of 2024: 0.5% citywide sales and use tax for the revitalization zone
Approved · 6-0
Council levied a 0.5% citywide sales and use tax on eligible transactions under Utah Code 59-12-402.5, imposed for 30 years from the first imposition, in addition to existing sales taxes.
- FeeAmount not given
Item F1 · Other
Joint Resolution 33 of 2024: collective bargaining and employee representation processes
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted the updated resolution. The motion asked the Administration to give a public briefing on the collective bargaining process, MOUs and state law, and stated the Council intends that the revised resolution does not invalidate existing MOUs, the opportunity to negotiate new agreements or other legal requirements, with conversations to continue with recognized bargaining units.
Item F2-F4 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund loans: Exotic Fast Foods, City Cakes SLC, Botanika SLC
Approved · 6-0
Council adopted three ordinances approving $100,000 loans: Ordinance 76 for Exotic Fast Foods, LLC (Eurasian restaurant, 55 North Redwood Road); Ordinance 77 for City Cakes SLC, LLC (vegan and gluten-free bakery, 1860 South 300 West); and Ordinance 78 for Botanika SLC, LLC (small grocer of non-alcoholic wines and healthy foods, 353 West 200 South).
- Contract$100,000 to Exotic Fast Foods, LLC
- Contract$100,000 to City Cakes SLC, LLC
- Contract$100,000 to Botanika SLC, LLC
Item G1-G5 · Other
Consent: set Oct. 15 hearings on International Center fence height and Mosquito Abatement District tax; board appointments
Approved · 6-0
Council set October 15 hearings on raising front yard fence height from four to six feet in International Center M-1 zones (PLNPCM2024-0080) and on the Mosquito Abatement District's proposed property tax increase, and appointed Seth Brown to the Cultural Core Finance Committee, Polina Konuchkova to the Library Board and McCall Christensen to the Planning Commission.
What residents said
Revitalization zone sales taxAbravanel Hall preservationJapantown protectionsImpact on small businesses during constructionWarehouse development near NorthpointPedestrian safety crossings
General comment: several speakers raised concerns about the Church of Scientology; one speaker said the sales tax would drive shoppers out of the entertainment district; one asked for four-way stops at 600 South/500 South and 700 East/800 East for pedestrian safety.