Council hears five rezone and zoning-text briefings and straw-polls capital projects at off-site westside work session
July 19, 2022, 2:00 p.m. · Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 S 900 W
Meeting at the Sorenson Unity Center, council members were briefed on rezones for city-owned land on Rose Park Lane, Hoyt Place, 805 South 800 West and 2435 South 500 East, and on a text amendment raising building coverage in the R-2 zone. They also heard an urban forest plan update and a donations ordinance, and took two unanimous straw polls on capital improvement projects. Council Member Ana Valdemoros was absent.
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 Erin Mendenhall spoke by speaker phone, thanking the council for working with the west side and expressing hope for the park investments in the bond measures. Staff gave COVID-19, community engagement and homelessness updates, including that the Rapid Intervention Team launched June 6 and that the water conservation program was keeping use below the three-year average against a 5 to 15% reduction goal. Fire staff said dry weather could extend fire season into October and described added staffing before July 24 fireworks. Council Members Amy Fowler, Alejandro Puy and Victoria Petro-Eschler asked about camp clean-ups and response times; Petro-Eschler asked about fireworks enforcement.
Item 2 · Zoning
Rezone and master plan amendment at Rose Park Lane
Discussed
Staff briefed a city-initiated proposal to rezone four vacant or undeveloped city-owned parcels on North Rose Park Lane from R-1/7,000 single-family residential to OS (Open Space) and amend the Rose Park Small Area Plan future land use map. The parcels would be consolidated and added to the Regional Athletic Complex to the north, with a vacant house demolished. Council Members Petro-Eschler, Darin Mano and Fowler asked about traffic, pedestrian and bicycle improvements and the timeline; staff said public engagement and feasibility studies must precede plans.
- Applicant: Salt Lake City
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/7,000 → OS
Item 3 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at 858 and 860 West Hoyt Place
Discussed
Staff briefed a request to rezone two lots (about 0.39 acre) from R-1/5,000 to SR-3 so the owner can subdivide and build two new single-family homes behind two existing homes that are being renovated. Hoyt Place is a private mid-block street maintained by its owners. Council Member Mano asked about the zoning history (from 1995). Council Member Puy asked about an exit to 200 North and who maintains the street, Petro-Eschler asked about parking, and Fowler asked about a development agreement; council staff suggested making road maintenance a condition.
- Acres: about 0.39
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/5,000 → SR-3
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-01073
Item 4 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at approximately 805 South 800 West
Discussed
Staff briefed a request to rezone property from M-1 (Light Manufacturing) to R-MU-35 (Residential/Mixed Use) to allow multifamily or attached single-family housing; no development plans were submitted. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended the change. Council Member Puy spoke favorably about dense housing on the site and asked about prices; the applicant described the plans and an estimated price range.
- Applicant: the applicant
- Current zone → proposed: M-1 → R-MU-35
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-01077
Item 5 · City code
R-2 text amendment: building coverage
Discussed
Staff briefed a zoning text change that would raise allowed building coverage for single-family homes in the R-2 district citywide from 40% to 45% of the lot; duplexes are already at 45%. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. Council Member Puy supported it; Council Member Mano asked whether it helps accessory units, and the planning director said it does.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-01228
Item 6 · Zoning
Rezone and master plan amendment at 2435 South 500 East
Discussed
Staff briefed a request to change the general plan designation from Low Density to Medium Density Residential and rezone from R-1-7,000 to RMF-35 to build for-sale townhomes. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. Council Members Daniel Dugan, Puy and Fowler asked about a Warnock Avenue connection, who maintains that street and whether units would be for sale; the applicant said they would be for sale, a private road would link Warnock Avenue to 500 East, and the developer would meet maintenance rules.
- Applicant: the applicant
- Current zone → proposed: R-1-7,000 → RMF-35
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-01041 and 01042
Item 8 · Presentation
Urban Forest Action Plan update
Discussed
Planning staff presented the draft plan, built on principles of public good, public infrastructure, return on investment and equitable distribution of benefits. They said the Avenues, East Bench and Sugar House have roughly twice the tree canopy of the Northwest and Westside areas, matching historic redlining, and that formerly redlined areas have much higher surface temperatures. Council Member Petro-Eschler asked about the Northwest area; Fowler asked about funding and affordability; staff said no city funding amount is currently needed and developers usually pay for street trees. Council Member Puy suggested coordinating with city, county and state facilities that already water landscaping.
Item 9 · Budget
Capital Improvement Program projects follow-up
Discussed
Council staff said the funding log had 93 requests and slightly over $27 million from five sources. Members discussed the $2 million Livable Streets traffic calming allocation, $3 million for complete streets from the streets reconstruction bond, and specific items: Sunnyside Avenue pedestrian safety (item 78), Harvey Milk Boulevard rainbow crosswalk (item 92), Gateway Triangle park (item 69), the 1000 West Fairpark traffic circle (item 27), Dinwoody Park (item 57), Taufer Park (item 52) and California Avenue safety study (item 26). Council Member Fowler asked for clarity from the City Attorney on the bond language. Straw polls, both unanimous of members present: add park impact fees to fund item 69, and fund item 78 preferably from item 22 while using $100,000 for item 26.
- Budget$27.0 million
- Budget$2.00 million
- Budget$3.00 million
- Budget$100,000
Item 10 · Budget
General Obligation Bond and Sales Tax Revenue Bond resolution
No action
This item was not held.
Item 11 · City code
Ordinance: updating practices regarding donations
Discussed
The city attorney described changes to the donations ordinance, including accepting gift cards, more flexibility for amendments, fewer requirements for real property donations, a higher threshold for needing a donation agreement and waivers jointly approved by the City Attorney, Mayor and Finance Director. Council Member Fowler said the council wanted to keep receiving reports when agreements are needed and notice when a waiver is used. Council Member Petro-Eschler asked about ethics codes; Council Member Mano asked about adding the council chair to the waiver requirement.
Item 12 · Roads and utilities
GO bonds series 2022 streets reconstruction and six-year pavement plan
Discussed
The council received written briefings only on a resolution authorizing up to $23.6 million in general obligation bonds, the last issuance of the voter-approved $87 million streets reconstruction bond, and on the updated six-year pavement plan.
- Bond$23.6 million
Item 14 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews: Bicycle Advisory Committee and CDCIP Advisory Board
Discussed
The council interviewed Matthew Morriss (Bicycle Advisory Committee, term ending July 19, 2025) and Brad Christensen (CDCIP Advisory Board, term ending June 2, 2025). Both names were on the consent agenda.
What residents said
Traffic calmingTree canopy equityPark funding