Council hears five public hearings, defers all decisions, and approves two liquor proximity and mobile business actions
August 18, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
The Salt Lake City Council held public hearings on the Sugar House special assessment area, the Silverside Deli liquor proximity waiver, a 200,000-gallon daily water cap, the Northwest Community Plan and the Ballpark rezone, and closed or deferred each one without final action. It approved a proximity waiver for Via Veneto Pizzarium, the mobile business text amendment, and an amendment to the interlocal agreement over Library tax increment. All votes were 7-0.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Hearing on the Sugar House Business District 2027 special assessment area | Discussed · 7-0 |
| Hearing on liquor proximity waiver for Silverside Deli, 2122 South Highland Drive | Continued · 7-0 |
| Hearing on maximum daily water use text amendment | Continued · 7-0 |
| Hearing on the Northwest Community Plan | Continued · 7-0 |
| Hearing on Ballpark zoning map and text amendment | Continued · 7-0 |
| Liquor proximity waiver for Via Veneto Pizzarium, 511 East 900 South | Approved · 7-0 |
| Mobile business text amendment | Approved · 7-0 |
| Amendment to interlocal agreement on Library tax increment | Approved · 7-0 |
| Date set for hearing on police license plate reader ordinance | Approved · 7-0 |
| Board appointments on consent | Approved · 7-0 |
| Appointment of George LeBoeuf to the Racial Equity in Policing Commission | Pending |
Agenda, item by item
Item B.1 · Public hearing
Hearing on the Sugar House Business District 2027 special assessment area
Discussed · 7-0
The Council held the protest hearing on a resolution of intention to create the Sugar House Business District 2027 Special Assessment Area in the core commercial area of Sugar House, with a secondary three-year assessment for specialty lighting and signage. Staff outlined the protest process. Five speakers, including a representative of the Utah Restaurant Association, opposed or asked for reductions or phasing, citing construction losses, reduced parking and existing property taxes. Council Member Sarah Young said closing the hearing did not create the area, that owners can still protest under state law, and that community organizations had asked for the added services. The Council voted to close the hearing.
- Proposal: Sugar House Business District 2027 (SHBD-27) special assessment area
- Secondary assessment for specialty lighting and signage, three years
Item B.2 · Other
Hearing on liquor proximity waiver for Silverside Deli, 2122 South Highland Drive
Continued · 7-0
The Council took comment on a resolution waiving the state proximity rule so Silverside Deli, across the street from the Sprague Library in District 7, can get a liquor license from the state alcohol agency. Under state law as of May 2026 the city must hold a hearing at least 30 days before approving a waiver. No one spoke. Council Member Alejandro Puy noted the city notified nearby residents beyond the minimum. The hearing was closed and action deferred.
Item B.3 · City code
Hearing on maximum daily water use text amendment
Continued · 7-0
The Council heard an ordinance to make permanent a March 24, 2026 temporary rule that caps non-residential land uses at 200,000 gallons of water per day in all zones, limiting exemptions to agriculture, schools, government facilities that mainly provide social services, places of worship and hospitals. One resident supported conservation and suggested a lower cap because many businesses already use less. The hearing was closed and action deferred.
- Cap: 200,000 gallons per day for non-residential uses
- Applies to all zoning districts
Item B.4 · General plan
Hearing on the Northwest Community Plan
Continued · 7-0
The Council held a hearing on adopting the Northwest Community Plan, a 15-year guide for the Rose Park, Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove and Westpointe neighborhoods that includes station area plans for four TRAX stops on North Temple and a future land use map. Ten speakers commented. Business-focused speakers asked for more support for Westside small businesses, usable ground-floor commercial space, safety and walkability. Others, including a community council and an environmental group, asked the Council to pause adoption so the Northpoint Small Area Plan and shoreline and sensitive-lands protections could be better incorporated. The hearing was closed and action deferred.
- Neighborhoods: Rose Park, Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, Westpointe
- Includes North Temple Station Area Plans for four TRAX stations
Item B.5 · Zoning
Hearing on Ballpark zoning map and text amendment
Continued · 7-0
The Council held a hearing on rezoning parcels around the former Ballpark property. After a July 14 straw poll the proposal was revised from MU-11 to MU-8 (Mixed-Use 8): 55 West Paxton Avenue, 77 West 1300 South, 1355 and 1357 South West Temple and 1356 South Main Street from Public Lands to MU-8; 1381 South West Temple from Public Lands and RMF-35 to MU-8 and MU-5; and 1395 and 1397 South West Temple from RMF-35 to MU-5. A text amendment would remove Ballpark-specific sign rules. Thirteen speakers, including Ballpark Community Council and Ballpark Action Team members, asked to preserve public green space, mature trees and public ownership, and some asked to keep Richard Street a dead end because of traffic and privacy concerns. Council Member Erika Carlsen said the Council had already reduced the zoning to MU-8, supported continued public ownership and said Richard Street was meant to stay pedestrian-oriented under the Ballpark NEXT plan. Action was deferred.
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-01089
- Zoning: Public Lands and RMF-35 to MU-8 and MU-5
- Plan: Ballpark NEXT Community Design Plan (adopted by the CRA Board December 2025)
- Council District 5
Item C.1 · Other
Liquor proximity waiver for Via Veneto Pizzarium, 511 East 900 South
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Resolution 14 of 2026 granting local authorization under Utah Code 32B-1-202 for Via Veneto Pizzarium, which is across the street from Liberty Park, to receive a state liquor license despite its proximity to a park. The required hearing was held July 14.
Item C.2 · City code
Mobile business text amendment
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 46 of 2026 amending Title 21A on mobile businesses on private property to comply with state law changes that limit what cities can regulate.
Item E.1 · Budget
Amendment to interlocal agreement on Library tax increment
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Resolution 15 of 2026 amending the interlocal agreements between the city and the Community Reinvestment Agency to clarify that the Library's tax increment is excluded. The Salt Lake County District Attorney and the Utah State Tax Commission had determined the Library is not a separate taxing entity, so the county directed all of the Library's tax increment to the Agency for tax years 2024 and 2025. Council Member Puy noted efforts to resolve the underlying issue with state and county entities.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item G.1 · Public safety
Date set for hearing on police license plate reader ordinance
Approved · 7-0
On consent, the Council set September 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. for a hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 2.10 of city code to regulate the Police Department's use of its Automatic License Plate Reader system, covering use, access, retention, sharing, training, security and auditing.
Item G.2-G.4, G.6 · Appointment
Board appointments on consent
Approved · 7-0
On consent the Council approved appointments of Regan Hale to the Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry and Trails Advisory Board (term to August 18, 2029), Liz Joerger to the City and County Building Conservancy and Use Committee (term to July 15, 2030), and Avery McAffee and Nicholas Pensari to the Racial Equity in Policing Commission (terms to December 25, 2028).
Item G.5 · Appointment
Appointment of George LeBoeuf to the Racial Equity in Policing Commission
Pending
This appointment, for a term ending December 25, 2028, was excluded from the consent agenda motion. The minutes record no separate action at this meeting.
What residents said
Sugar House construction impacts and parkingSpecial assessment costs for businessesGreat Salt Lake and Northpoint Small Area PlanPublic green space and trees at BallparkRichard Street vehicle accessFederal immigration enforcementUtility costsShort-term rental enforcement
Sugar House property and restaurant owners opposed the proposed assessment, citing construction impacts, parking and property taxes. Speakers on the Northwest Community Plan asked for more attention to small business, safety and walkability, and several asked the Council to pause adoption to take in the Northpoint Small Area Plan and shoreline protections. Ballpark speakers, including community council representatives, asked to keep public green space and mature trees and to keep Richard Street a dead end. General comment focused on federal immigration enforcement and local policy responses, utility costs for fixed-income residents, My Brother's Keeper reporting, and short-term rental enforcement.