Council briefed on street lighting plan, American Rescue Plan priorities, fence heights and a Public Lands restaurant rule
August 17, 2021, 2:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
In a work session the Council heard a COVID-19 and body camera update, a follow-up on the Street Lighting Master Plan, and a straw poll backing American Rescue Plan Act funding for Odyssey House and five capital projects. It also was briefed on fence height limits, the Nielsen Estates rezone and allowing restaurants in Public Lands zones, and interviewed three appointees.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Mendenhall reported rising COVID-19 infection rates, concern for children who cannot yet be vaccinated, and the need for decisions on school masks. Andrew Johnston gave a homelessness update. Police Chief Mike Brown and Sgt. Mason Givens said all officers wear one of 550 body cameras and described an Audit and Inspection Squad and a data dashboard to review their use.
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
2020 Street Lighting Master Plan follow-up
Discussed
Public Utilities staff presented the plan, which the Planning Commission recommended favorably, covering public engagement, safety, equity, color temperature, a dimming pilot and mental health impacts. Council Members and outside speakers discussed funding, timeline, color temperature recommendations, community outreach and why higher temperatures were placed in some areas. Staff said the temperature plan applies to residential, not commercial, lighting.
Item 4 · Budget
Capital Improvement Program and American Rescue Plan Act funds
Discussed
Ben Luedtke reviewed six items for funding: Odyssey House Annex renovation ($500,000), Dee Glen tennis courts ($500,000, though $400,000 was said to suffice), Harrison Avenue and 700 East community garden ($103,500), Wingate Walkway ($286,750), Capitol Hill traffic calming ($595,194) and Sugar House safe side streets ($500,000). Members raised hesitancy about using the full ARPA amount, reduced funding for Sugar House and the city's capacity to complete projects. A straw poll unanimously supported fully funding Odyssey House with ARPA money and using $300,000 plus available general and Class C funds for the five other projects, with the tennis and Sugar House items partly funded and $15,000 for the Art Fund.
- Grant$500,000 to Odyssey House
- Budget$103,500
- Budget$286,750
- Budget$595,194
Item 6 · City code
Fence, wall and hedge height requirements
Discussed
The proposal would remove the special exception for over-height fences and limit fences, walls and hedges to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards citywide, with exceptions such as residential districts abutting nonresidential ones, industrial and public facilities, private game courts and construction fencing. The Planning and Historic Landmark Commissions could grant more height. Council Members asked about measurement at property lines, transparency and corner lots, and how the timeline interacts with the special exception amendment.
Item 7 · Zoning
Rezone of Nielsen Estates near Hoyt Place and West 200 North
Discussed
The rezone would move two single-family parcels (R-1/5,000 and R-1/7,000) to SR-3 for a future planned development that would keep the existing home and add six attached single-family homes. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions: a recorded development agreement protecting the existing home's single-family use and architecture, and seeking access from Hoyt Place first. Council Members asked about public response and access.
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/5,000 and R-1/7,000 → SR-3
- Conditions: development agreement protecting existing home; access from Hoyt Place first
Item 8 · City code
Permitting restaurants in the Public Lands zoning district
Discussed
Amanda Roman said the proposal responds to business conversations during the pandemic and would allow restaurants on Public Lands lots of at least 20,000 square feet and 75 feet wide. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Council Members asked about athletic complexes, the City and County Building, Smith's Ballpark and alcohol licenses. All present supported continuing to explore additional uses in open space.
Item 9 · Other
Honorary street name Pastor France Davis Way
Discussed
The Council was briefed on naming the block of Harvard Avenue between State and Main streets for Rev. France A. Davis, longtime pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and a member of the Commission on Racial Equity in Policing. Mayor Mendenhall and Council Member Fowler expressed support.
Item 10-12 · Appointment
Appointments: Public Lands director, Business Advisory Board, Housing Authority
Discussed
The Council interviewed Kristin Riker for Public Lands Department director, Scott Lyttle for the Business Advisory Board (term through Dec. 29, 2025) and Mike Pazzi for the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City (term through Aug. 17, 2025). All three were placed on the consent agenda.
Item 15 · Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to enter closed session to discuss the purchase, exchange or lease of real property and attorney-client matters, and then to exit and adjourn. No action was reported.
What residents said
COVID-19 and school masksStreet light color temperatureFence heights