Council defers Fairpark vote after 15 speakers, closes 1000 West to restore rail quiet zone and sends budget amendment to a later vote
December 3, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
The Council heard about 15 speakers on the Jordan River Fairpark District rezone and development agreement, most supportive but several raising affordability, crime and homelessness, then closed the hearing and deferred action. It adopted 6-0 an ordinance temporarily closing part of 1000 West so the Woods Cross rail quiet zone can be restored, and closed hearings on Public Utilities revenue bonds, the S-Line parcel conveyance and Budget Amendment No. 2 without voting on them. Council Member Lopez Chavez was absent and Council Member Mano arrived partway through the evening.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Public Utilities revenue bonds, Series 2025: public hearing | No action · 5-0 |
| S-Line conveyance of significant parcels: public hearing | No action · 5-0 |
| Budget Amendment No. 2, fiscal year 2024-25: public hearing | No action · 5-0 |
| Jordan River Fairpark District zoning map and text amendment | Continued · 6-0 |
| Temporary closure of 1000 West between South Temple and about 15 South | Approved · 6-0 |
| Consent agenda: hearing dates and appointment | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B.1 · Budget
Public Utilities revenue bonds, Series 2025: public hearing
No action · 5-0
The Council held a hearing on the parameters resolution authorizing up to $225,000,000 in Public Utilities revenue bonds for water and sewer capital improvements, including the City Creek Water Treatment Plant and the new water reclamation facility. There were no comments and the Council closed the hearing. Council Member Mano was not yet present.
- Bond$225.0 million
Item B.2 · Roads and utilities
S-Line conveyance of significant parcels: public hearing
No action · 5-0
The Council held a hearing on transferring city-owned parcels to the Redevelopment Agency in exchange for RDA property along Simpson Avenue, to facilitate extending the S-Line streetcar to Highland Drive and an adjacent transit-oriented development. No one spoke and the Council closed the hearing.
Item B.3 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 2, fiscal year 2024-25: public hearing
No action · 5-0
The Council held a hearing on the amendment, which includes a new fund for the Capital City Downtown Revitalization Zone sales tax, 12 police officers partly funded by a federal COPS grant, a University of Utah donation tied to a Sunnyside Park baseball stadium, vehicle fleet funding and state transit grants. Two people were called but had no comment on this item. The Council closed the hearing and referred the item to a future date for action.
Item B.4 · Zoning
Jordan River Fairpark District zoning map and text amendment
Continued · 6-0
The Council continued its public hearing on creating the Jordan River Fairpark (JRF) District on about 93 acres near 1500 West North Temple, with buildings up to 400 feet, and a development agreement due by Dec. 31, 2024. About 15 people spoke. Most supported the proposal, citing experience with the Larry H. Miller companies, economic opportunity and community benefits; several, including a Westside Coalition representative and a Rosepark Community Council vice chair, voiced concern about affordability for families, crime and homelessness, and asked that community voices be heard. One speaker supported the rezone but opposed large subsidies for a baseball stadium, and a Rocky Mountain Power representative supported the request. Council Member Puy looked forward to continued work by developers, city and community; Council Member Petro said she wanted to represent her Westside neighbors diligently; Council Member Wharton emphasized hearing from the adjacent Guadalupe neighborhood. The Council voted 6-0, with Council Member Mano having joined during the item, to close the hearing and defer action.
- Applicant: Snell & Wilmer, representing Larry H. Miller Development
- Petition: PLNPCM2024-00982
Item B.5 · Roads and utilities
Temporary closure of 1000 West between South Temple and about 15 South
Approved · 6-0
Three residents supported the closure, citing train noise, lost sleep and quality of life. The Council adopted Ordinance 90 of 2024 temporarily closing the segment, for up to two years under state law, so the city can fix the rail crossing and restore the Woods Cross Quiet Zone, which the Federal Railroad Administration suspended after finding the crossing's safety measures inadequate.
Item G · Other
Consent agenda: hearing dates and appointment
Approved · 6-0
The Council set a Jan. 7, 2025 hearing on the rezoning of part of 333 West 700 South from General Commercial to D-2 and on the rezoning of 238 South Concord Street and 1255 West Pierpont Avenue from R-1/5,000 to RMF-30, and reappointed Mary J. Woodhead as an Appeals Hearing Officer for a term ending Dec. 3, 2029.
What residents said
Fairpark affordabilityCrime and homelessnessRail noiseAbandoned buildingsImmigrant safety
General comment: speakers raised developer-owned abandoned buildings and fire risks; support for Title 18 fines on developers; comparisons of the Rio Grande plan and the Smith Entertainment Group proposal for the Delta Center district; congratulations on the city's Welcoming City certification; homelessness; a petition to protect the foothills; criticism of the Church of Scientology; unmet promises on roundabouts and curb bulb-outs in the 800 East Byway project; and concern for immigrant residents' safety after a statement by the governor on deportations.