Council holds hearings on Rio Grande rezone, temple street closures and nuisance ordinance, deferring action on all
March 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
The council held public hearings on the Rio Grande rezone, fence and hedge heights, a rezone on 400 East, the recurring nuisance properties ordinance and temporary street closures for the 2027 Temple reopening, and deferred action on each by 7-0 votes. It also heard the mayor's recommended federal housing grant uses and approved a consent agenda setting hearings for March 24.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Mayor's recommendations for federal housing and community development grants | Discussed |
| Five grant applications (heard as one public hearing) | No action · 7-0 |
| Rio Grande master plan and zoning map amendment | Continued · 7-0 |
| Fence and hedge height text amendment | Continued · 7-0 |
| Master plan and zoning map amendment at 527, 537 and 539 South 400 East | Continued · 7-0 |
| Recurring nuisance properties ordinance | Continued · 7-0 |
| Temporary street closures for Temple Square 2027 reopening | Continued · 7-0 |
| Consent agenda | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Budget
Mayor's recommendations for federal housing and community development grants
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall presented recommended uses of Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, HOME and HOPWA funds, plus the new Funding Our Future grants, citing five-year goals on housing affordability, homeless services and transportation, and thanked the Community Development and Capital Improvements Program advisory board. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez arrived during this item.
Item B1-B5 · Public hearing
Five grant applications (heard as one public hearing)
No action · 7-0
The council held one hearing, with no public comment, on five applications: an EPA Brownfields grant for asbestos remediation in the Northwest Pipeline building rehabilitation (a resubmission of a November 2024 application); a Paul Coverdell forensic science grant for the Police Department (October 2025 to September 2028); a State Justice Institute technical assistance grant for the Justice Court; a Sister Cities International grant for travel to Matsumoto, Japan, and Olympic tourism workshops; and a state EMS per capita grant for Fire Department medical supplies. The items were referred to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to Environmental Protection Agency
- GrantAmount not given to U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
- GrantAmount not given to State Justice Institute
- GrantAmount not given to Sister Cities International
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Department of Public Safety, Bureau of EMS
Item B6 · Zoning
Rio Grande master plan and zoning map amendment
Continued · 7-0
The council heard a proposal to rezone 32 Rio Grande District properties from G-MU to D-4 and amend the Downtown Plan. Seven speakers supported the rezone and most asked that it align with the public-led Rio Grande Plan, which proposes burying the railroad tracks along 500 West in a 'train box'; speakers also mentioned the Green Loop, restoring the Rio Grande Depot, and City Creek daylighting. Council Member Lopez Chavez said the Community Reinvestment Agency was working to incorporate the plan. Council Member Alejandro Puy noted the city's limited decision-making authority and funding over the project. The hearing was closed and action deferred.
- Petitions: PLNPCM2025-00180, PLNPCM2025-00181
- Current zone → proposed: G-MU → D-4
Item B7 · City code
Fence and hedge height text amendment
Continued · 7-0
Speakers gave history of fence rules in historic districts, asked for six-foot security fencing for cultural and historic buildings in mixed-use areas (citing the Art Castle restoration at 915 West 100 South), and supported regulating hedges through the landscaping ordinance. Council Member Sarah Young thanked residents; Council Member Puy supported the update; Council Member Chris Wharton said he would work on details affecting the Art Castle's safety. Action was deferred.
- Petitions: PLNPCM2025-00045, PLNPCM2025-00138
Item B8 · Zoning
Master plan and zoning map amendment at 527, 537 and 539 South 400 East
Continued · 7-0
One speaker raised safety concerns on Denver Street near the site and asked for assurance construction would not impede safety; another cited limited community benefits. Council Member Lopez Chavez said additional benefits and amenities would be explored. Action was deferred.
- Applicant: Russ Poulsen, Thrive Development
- Current zone → proposed: RMF-45 → MU-5
Item B9 · City code
Recurring nuisance properties ordinance
Continued · 7-0
Two speakers opposed the ordinance, one warning it could be used against University of Utah students and another saying issues belong between neighbors; others supported it to address loud late-night gatherings near the university. Council Member Lopez Chavez said Ordinance 49 of 2025 already defined unruly gatherings and owner liability, and that this ordinance removed the 2 a.m. alcohol restriction and clarified business liability, with noise handled elsewhere. Council Member Puy said it targets commercial businesses. Action was deferred.
- Amends Title 11 of the city code
Item B10 · Public safety
Temporary street closures for Temple Square 2027 reopening
Continued · 7-0
Nineteen speakers addressed closing streets next to the Salt Lake Temple from March to October 2027. Opponents, including a Capitol Hill community council officer, residents and a small business owner, cited limited access to essential businesses and services, uneven priority compared with other events, and asked that pedestrians and cyclists keep right-of-way. Supporters, including the Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake Chamber, a state senator, church and business representatives, cited safety, walkability, tourism and 2034 Olympic preparation, and several asked for better resident communication. Council Member Lopez Chavez pointed to slc.gov/mystreet for details; Council Member Wharton said the economic and safety benefits outweighed the temporary inconvenience. Action was deferred.
Item G · Other
Consent agenda
Approved · 7-0
The council approved the consent agenda: setting March 24 hearings on the Sugar House hotel rezone (2111 South 1300 East), the 2260-2290 East 1300 South rezone, the expiration of land use approvals text amendment, an alley vacation east of Browning Avenue, fiscal year 2026-27 federal housing grant allocations, and disposition of airport noise mitigation property at about 840 South Gladiola Street (nonresidential, airport-compatible use only); appointing Jonathan Gardner and Lisa Ramsey Adams and reappointing John Bradshaw to the Airport Board; and reappointing Hannah Nielsen to the Arts Council.
What residents said
Access during temple street closuresRio Grande rail 'train box' planStudent gatherings and noiseSafety on Denver StreetFence heights for historic buildings
Rio Grande rezone speakers backed the rezone and the public-led plan to bury tracks on 500 West. Temple street closure speakers were split between access concerns and safety and tourism benefits. Nuisance ordinance speakers split over student gatherings and late-night noise. General comment covered state legislation limiting city street authority, immigration enforcement funding, a radio repeater restriction, accessory dwelling unit height and setback rules, short-term rentals, and thanks to the police chief and officers.