Council rejects Sugar House hotel rezone 7-0 and adopts land use approval expiration rules
April 7, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
The council voted 7-0 to reject the rezone and master plan change for a hotel at 2111 South 1300 East, with Council Member Sarah Young citing precedent for expanding the Sugar House business district beyond adopted plan boundaries. It adopted the text amendment on expiration of land use approvals and, after hearings, deferred action on the 256 East 300 South hotel rezone and the South Navajo Street rezone.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Zoning map amendment at approximately 256 East 300 South | Continued · 7-0 |
| Zoning map amendment at approximately 1073 South Navajo Street | Continued · 7-0 |
| Expiration of land use approvals text amendment | Approved · 7-0 |
| Sugar House hotel master plan and zoning map amendments at 2111 South 1300 East | Denied · 7-0 |
| Consent agenda | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B1 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at approximately 256 East 300 South
Continued · 7-0
The council heard a request to rezone the property from R-MU to D-1 to allow a hotel in a 185-foot building; the Planning Commission forwarded a negative recommendation. Most speakers opposed it, citing height and scale, views and sunlight, traffic, pedestrian safety, hotel late-night activity and transient use, inconsistency with the Central Community Master Plan, and that bike stations and a hotel are not sufficient community benefits; a Central City Neighborhood Council representative said mixed-use zoning would better fit the plan. One group supported redevelopment of the vacant parking lot but opposed D-1. A supporter described an art-focused hotel with gallery space for local artists, and the petitioner cited housing, jobs and cultural uses. Action was deferred.
- Applicant: the applicant, Fourier Architects, for the owner
- Current zone → proposed: R-MU → D-1
- Planning Commission: negative recommendation
- Petition: PLNPCM2024-00423
Item B2 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at approximately 1073 South Navajo Street
Continued · 7-0
The council heard a request from the property owner to rezone a 0.49-acre lot from R-1/5,000 to RMF-30 for more for-sale homes, keeping the existing house. The Glendale Neighborhood Council chair asked for more comment time and questioned whether the zoning fits the area. Other speakers cited speculative buying, parking, sewer capacity, traffic, neighborhood character and livability. Action was deferred.
- Acres: 0.49
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/5,000 → RMF-30
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-01015
Item C1 · City code
Expiration of land use approvals text amendment
Approved · 7-0
The council adopted Ordinance 15 of 2026 amending Titles 20 and 21A to expand the actions an applicant may take to show reasonable diligence in implementing an approved land use application and avoid its expiration.
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-00554
Item C2 · Zoning
Sugar House hotel master plan and zoning map amendments at 2111 South 1300 East
Denied · 7-0
Council Member Sarah Young emphasized Sugar House Park as a community landmark and said approval would set a precedent for extending the business district past adopted plan boundaries before the effects of existing mixed-use zoning were known. She thanked residents, groups and the applicant. Council Member Alejandro Puy thanked her for relaying park users' views. The council voted unanimously to reject the ordinance, which would have rezoned 0.80 acres from MU-3 to MU-8 and amended the Sugar House master plan map for a hotel.
- Applicant: John Potter, Magnus Commercial Properties
- Acres: 0.80
- Current zone → proposed: MU-3 → MU-8
Item G · Other
Consent agenda
Approved · 7-0
The council approved the consent agenda: setting April 21 hearings on the Wilmington Avenue partial street vacation and on the Community Clean Energy program ordinance (automatic enrollment through Rocky Mountain Power bills with an opt-out and a new fee for those who stay enrolled); setting May 19 hearings on indefinite closures of 7200 West and 200 South; and reappointing Kathryn Floor to the Public Utilities Advisory Committee.
What residents said
Height and scale of 256 East 300 South hotelParking and sewer on Navajo StreetImmigration detention centerWasatch Community Gardens funding
Opponents of the 256 East 300 South hotel rezone cited height, views, traffic and neighborhood fit; supporters cited art, housing and jobs. Navajo Street speakers raised parking, sewer and neighborhood character. General comment: speakers thanked officials for opposing a proposed federal immigration detention center (one speaker supported it); representatives of Wasatch Community Gardens sought funding for its Green Team; a carpenters' union representative raised construction tax fraud and worker misclassification.