Council closes Jefferson Park alleys, corrects tax levy and defers Via Veneto liquor waiver
July 14, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
With two members absent, the council voted 5-0 to indefinitely close alleyways in Jefferson Park and to adopt a corrected property tax levy ordinance. It held hearings on a Warnock Avenue alley vacation, mobile business rules and a liquor waiver of proximity for a pizzeria near Liberty Park, deferring action on each. Public comment ran long on short-term rentals, a South Salt Lake-owned open-space parcel and artificial turf.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Grant applications: Jordan River Trail rest stops and Red Pine Dam safety | Continued · 5-0 |
| Indefinite closure of alleyways in Jefferson Park | Approved · 5-0 |
| Alley vacation off Warnock Avenue | Continued · 5-0 |
| Mobile business text amendment | Continued · 5-0 |
| Waiver of proximity for Via Veneto Pizzarium, 511 East 900 South | Continued · 5-0 |
| Corrected property tax levy ordinance, fiscal year 2026-27 | Approved · 5-0 |
| Consent: hearing dates and board appointments | Approved · 5-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B1-B2 · Public hearing
Grant applications: Jordan River Trail rest stops and Red Pine Dam safety
Continued · 5-0
The council heard two grant applications as one hearing. Public Lands would seek county TRCC tax money for interpretive programming, design and engineering, and construction of up to 20 rest stations on the Jordan River Trail. Public Utilities would seek state dam safety grant money, funded through FEMA, for engineering and design of upgrades to the Red Pine Dam's rock fill core, outlet gate, crest and slope protection. No one spoke. The council closed the hearing and referred the items to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to Salt Lake County (TRCC)
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Division of Water Resources (FEMA funds)
Item B3 · Roads and utilities
Indefinite closure of alleyways in Jefferson Park
Approved · 5-0
The council adopted Ordinance 41 of 2026 indefinitely closing a 16-foot by 275-foot north-south alley and part of a 15-foot by 100-foot east-west alley on Block 1 of the West Boulevard Subdivision within Jefferson Park. The closure lets the city merge the park's parcels into one to ease park improvements funded by the Parks, Trails and Open Space general obligation bond and Capital Improvement Program money. The alleys remain part of the park, no property relies on them for access, and the alley residents use on 200 West and Goltz Avenue is not affected. No one spoke.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item B4 · Zoning
Alley vacation off Warnock Avenue
Continued · 5-0
The council held a hearing on vacating a city-owned alley, 16.5 feet wide and 80 feet long, between Warnock Avenue and the Interstate 80 right-of-way near 600 East in District 7. If approved it would be split between the neighboring property owners. The alley has no public access and holds power poles. The petition (PLNPCM2025-01099) was filed on behalf of Gray Willow, LLC. No one spoke. The council closed the hearing and deferred action.
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-01099
- Applicant: Gray Willow, LLC
Item B5 · City code
Mobile business text amendment
Continued · 5-0
The council held a hearing on changes to Title 21A for mobile businesses on private property to comply with state law limits on city regulation. No one spoke. The council closed the hearing and deferred action.
Item B6 · Other
Waiver of proximity for Via Veneto Pizzarium, 511 East 900 South
Continued · 5-0
The council held a hearing on a waiver of proximity, required by state law for a liquor license within set distance of a community location, here Liberty Park in District 5. Two co-owners of the restaurant spoke in favor, saying a limited license would let them serve wine and beer with food. Council Member Wharton said he intended to support it and noted state law bars action for at least 30 days. The council closed the hearing and deferred action.
Item F1 · Taxes and fees
Corrected property tax levy ordinance, fiscal year 2026-27
Approved · 5-0
The council adopted Ordinance 42 of 2026, correcting a technical error found after Ordinance 28 of 2026. The total rate stays 0.003482 per dollar of taxable value; the judgment levy was changed from 0.000007 ($346,642) to 0.000006 ($293,967 one-time). Other components are unchanged: General Fund $123,837,279, Library Fund $32,657,748, bond repayment $20,614,755 and Governmental Immunity Fund $4,173,514.
- Fee$293,967
Item G1-G16 · Appointment
Consent: hearing dates and board appointments
Approved · 5-0
The council set August 11 hearings on the final fiscal 2026-27 budget and the truth-in-taxation levy, and set an August 18 hearing on a resolution of intention to create the Sugar House Business District 2027 special assessment area, which would also include a three-year secondary assessment for specialty lighting and signage. It approved six appointments to the Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board, five to the Fire Code Board of Appeals, and the reappointments of Kerri Nakamura to the Parks, Natural Lands, Trails and Urban Forestry Advisory Board and Sariah Toronto to the Library Board.
What residents said
Short-term rental limitsOpen-space parcel and fencingArtificial turf heatHomelessness in extreme heat
About 18 residents spoke in general comment. Several asked the council to loosen the short-term rental ordinance's 10 percent building cap, 200-night limit, two-night minimum and lack of grandfathering. A group of neighbors disputed a South Salt Lake ownership claim to an open-space parcel, citing fire risk and proposed fencing, and asked for a future work session. Others raised the closed Cottonwood Dog Park access bridge, nomination of the 10th East Senior Center to the National Register, Miller Bird Refuge pathway funding, treatment of unhoused residents in extreme heat, police patrol costs for a bicycle ride, and artificial turf near the Rosslyn Heights Sports Complex. Council Member Young said the council is not the main decision-maker on some of those properties but the concerns mattered.