Council backs 20 mph default speed limit by straw poll and questions Airport Inn rezone for transitional housing
March 1, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
In a work session the Council unanimously supported by straw poll moving forward with a proposal to lower the default speed limit from 25 to 20 mph, and agreed on notice requirements for work in the public way. Several members questioned a rezone that would let the Airport Inn operate as transitional housing, and the Council asked for City Attorney input on a street vacation at 601 South 900 East. The minutes are marked pending and not yet approved.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall reported declining COVID-19 cases. Andrew Johnston reviewed shelter use and a proposed long-term program of more than 200 beds for aging and medically frail people, modeled on the Ramada Inn program, with county funding offered and state funding sought. The mayor said HB 440 on homeless services, as it stood, was unfavorable to the city. A Love Your Block team presented a Jordan River neighborhood initiative with grants. Police Chief Mike Brown reported that force was used in 0.57% of calls in 2021. The public utilities director said Stage 2 drought response was in effect and snowpack was at or below average.
Item 3 · Taxes and fees
Assessment for the Central Business Improvement Area (CBIA-22)
Discussed
Staff described re-establishing the downtown special assessment for three years and a separate holiday lighting assessment, beginning April 22, 2022. The Board of Equalization recommended removing the holiday lighting assessment on properties of one owner, reducing revenue by $1,048.78, and removing four properties whose owner disputes the county valuation. Staff said funding was unlikely to fall short. Chair Dan Dugan said the ordinance would be taken up in the formal meeting, where an appellant could comment.
- Fee$1,049
Item 4 · City code
Notice requirements for permits to work in the public way (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff reviewed February public comments, including from Lumen/CenturyLink and Verizon, and questions about who pays for notice. By unanimous straw polls of those present, the Council supported keeping a verifiable notice, such as a flyer at every door including apartment buildings, for all work above or below ground; having the applicant pay for notification; and notifying all residents in the area for installation and maintenance of services done in the public way when a permit is pulled or a road, driveway or alley is blocked. Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler asked about posting signs; City Engineer Matt Cassel said that could be an option.
Item 5 · City code
Special event permits of less than 31 days
Discussed
Staff presented two identical code amendments that would extend the maximum special event permit for park use from 20 to 31 days in exceptional cases, only if the mayor approves for a reason stated in writing. Public Lands listed benefits, such as drawing users and reducing negative uses, and drawbacks, such as restricting public use and damaging lawns. A city attorney suggested rewording so the mayor is involved above 21 or 31 days. The Council confirmed it is not required to hold a public hearing.
Item 6 · City code
Renaming the Housing and Neighborhood Development Division as the Housing Stability Division
Discussed
Council Member Amy Fowler asked for a full briefing on the staff report's policy questions, including how the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board functions and other effects on the division. The Council said it wanted a briefing on the first item and answers to the listed questions.
Item 7 · Zoning
Rezone at 2333 West North Temple Street (Airport Inn)
Discussed
Planner Kelsey Lindquist said the city-initiated petition would remove the property from the Airport Flight Path Protection Overlay Influence Zone A so the Airport Inn could shift from a hotel to multifamily housing with stays over 30 days, as transitional housing under a voucher program. Council Member Petro-Eschler said she saw it as a back-door way to allow a shelter where one is not allowed; Council Member Fowler agreed it would create something the Council might not otherwise support. Council Member Darin Mano said the owner was seeking to change zoning to allow a use not permitted. Council Member Ana Valdemoros said the site could have other uses and voiced concern about another potential shelter on the west side. Staff said sound-barrier conditions could not be required because the city, not the owner, initiated the petition; Planning would ask whether sound-limiting work was done in renovations.
- Request: remove Airport Flight Path Protection Overlay District Influence Zone A
- Petition initiated by the city
Item 9 · Other
Street vacation at 601 South 900 East
Discussed
Planner Aaron Barlow described a proposal to vacate the right of way between the sidewalk and property line at the southeast corner of 600 South and 900 East; the land would be sold to the owners at market value, with no change to the sidewalk or street. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Council Member Mano said he worried that a similar approval on 14th Avenue set a precedent. Executive Director Cindy Gust-Jenson asked whether the owners had used the city's revocable lease program. The Council discussed fence height and past encroachments under its 1999 street vacation policy and asked for City Attorney input before moving forward.
Item 10 · Other
20 mph default speed limit on city streets
Discussed
Members of the nonprofit Sweet Streets SLC proposed lowering the city's default speed limit on streets not otherwise posted from 25 to 20 mph, citing research and other cities. Council Members Alejandro Puy, Mano and Fowler expressed support; Petro-Eschler supported it but asked about public outreach; Chris Wharton asked how other cities announced changes. The transportation director said the city was reducing limits by 5 mph in individual areas and that changing speeds alone was largely symbolic without street design changes. A straw poll to support the proposal was unanimous among those present.
Item 11 · Presentation
State legislative briefing
Discussed
Lobbyist Kate Bradshaw said a second substitute of HB 440 on homeless services passed the House and remained problematic for the city because of flex and preemption provisions that applied only to Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake. She also reviewed HB 462, the inland port bill and HB 476.
Item 12-15 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed nominees for the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board (Katie Darter), Business Advisory Board (Kristina Olivas), Airport Board (John Bradshaw) and Library Board (Sarah Reale). Chair Dugan said each name was on the consent agenda.
What residents said
Transitional housing on the west sidePublic-way work noticesSpeeding in neighborhoods