Council hears water-use cap, rooftop dining and 65-unit rooming house proposals; shapes temporary shelter conditions
November 16, 2021, 2:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting (remote)
Staff briefed the Council on a 300,000-gallon-per-day cap on water use by commercial and industrial land uses, a zoning change allowing rooftop commercial uses, a rezone for a 65-unit rooming house near 700 East, and a follow-up on Budget Amendment No. 4. The Council also held straw polls on conditions for a temporary overnight shelter at about 1659 West North Temple. Several items were moved to a future meeting for time.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1-2 · Other
Written briefings: Central Business Improvement Assessment Area and sewer pretreatment rules
Discussed
The Council received written briefings on resolutions designating the Central Business Improvement Assessment Area DA-CBIA22 and appointing a Board of Equalization, and on housekeeping amendments to the City's sewer pretreatment code to match federal requirements. No discussion is recorded.
Item 3 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
The Mayor reviewed COVID-19 statistics. Staff covered homelessness numbers, outreach, scheduled cleanups, state rescue plan grant funding, the FY23 Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation grant recommendation and county emergency shelter needs against deeply affordable housing needs.
Item 4 · Presentation
Updates on racial equity and policing
Discussed
Mayor's Office staff reviewed appointments to the Commission on Racial Equity in Policing, meeting dates and two open youth positions, introduced the new ADA coordinator and described the new Language Accessibility Task Force.
Item 5 · City code
Significant water-consuming land uses zoning text amendment
Discussed
A proposal would cap City culinary water use by commercial and industrial land uses at 300,000 gallons a day, affecting multiple zones citywide and clarifying related definitions. A six-month temporary ordinance with the same limits expires Jan. 4, 2022. The Council and staff discussed grandfathering current businesses, uses that exceed the cap, inviting the Northwest Quadrant and the University of Utah to join conservation efforts, and how the program would be regulated. A hearing was planned for Dec. 7.
Item 7 · City code
Allowing commercial uses on rooftops above two stories in the FB-SE zone
Discussed
The proposal would let rooftop commercial uses be built above the second story in the Form Based Special Purpose Corridor Edge subdistrict, subject to a 30-foot height; the zone now limits nonresidential uses to the first two stories and 30 feet, and the change would apply to all FB-SE properties citywide. The applicant's attorney and the applicant said only a few buildings in the city could host rooftop dining and the change would benefit businesses.
- Applicant: the applicant; attorney Paxton Guymon
Item 8 · Zoning
Master plan amendment and rezone, 129 South 700 East and East Bueno Avenue
Discussed
The applicant seeks to rezone about 10 parcels on East Bueno Avenue near 700 East from SR-3 to RMF-45 and amend the Central Community Master Plan from Medium Density to Medium High Density Residential, to replace existing structures with a one-story amenity building on 700 East and a four-story, 65-unit rooming house with one- to four-bedroom units. Council members and staff discussed street maintenance, the Planning Commission's vote, rehousing existing residents, the single room occupancy ordinance, boarding house rules, parking, traffic and preventing short-term rentals. A hearing was planned for Dec. 7 and action for Dec. 14.
- Current zone to proposed: SR-3 to RMF-45
- Units: 65-unit rooming house
- Applicant: the applicant
Item 12 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (follow-up)
Discussed
The Council and staff discussed a new water reclamation facility item, Community Commitment Program rapid intervention team vehicles and three new Waste and Recycling positions, added police support, cleaning contracted to Advantage Services, ARPA West Side community initiative and nonprofit and business community grants, and winter shelter support. A resolution for the Rose Park Golf Course grant application was also noted.
- ContractAmount not given to Advantage Services
Item 15 · Appointment
Art Design Advisory Board appointment interview
Discussed
The Council interviewed Angela Dean for the Art Design Advisory Board for a term ending Nov. 16, 2024.
Item 16 · Zoning
Temporary zoning regulations for an overflow homeless shelter at about 1659 West North Temple
Discussed
The City Attorney's office described the temporary land use process, and Council Member Amy Fowler reviewed the timeline and why no public hearing is scheduled. A Shelter the Homeless representative reviewed staffing options. Members discussed keeping the use from becoming permanent, staffing, security, fencing, neighborhood impact, on-site medical services and funding. Unanimous straw polls supported a staffing ratio of one staff per 25 clients during peak activity, not counting security toward staffing, and adding non-SLC law enforcement agencies. A straw poll to drop a requirement for a 24/7 on-site medical clinic had six votes of support; Council Member Ana Valdemoros did not express support. The Mayor reviewed the timeline and need to allocate emergency shelter funding.
- Straw polls: staffing 1:25 unanimous; security not counted unanimous; added law enforcement unanimous; remove 24/7 medical clinic six in support
What residents said
Water use limitsHomeless overflow shelterRooming house density