Council hears Capitol Park Cottages conditions and Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan
December 13, 2022, 3:45 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street, Room 326
The work session took up conditions on the Capitol Park Cottages rezone, with the applicant accepting several limits and Council Members split on retaining wall requirements, and a briefing on the Thriving in Place anti-displacement strategy. The minutes are pending approval.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Capitol Park Cottages rezone and master plan amendment, 675 North F Street: follow-up | Discussed |
| Thriving in Place update | Discussed |
| Oversight audits | Discussed |
| Naming the Justice Court building the John L. Baxter Justice Court | No action |
| Board appointment interviews | Discussed |
| Closed session | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reported COVID-19 cases up 56 percent nationally and down 3 percent in Utah over two weeks, planning projects including digital sign regulations, accessory dwelling unit changes and affordable housing incentives, comment deadlines for Virginia Street and West Temple reconstruction, all Homeless Resource Center overflow flex beds open around the clock since Dec. 12, and a Dec. 21 candlelight vigil.
Item 2 · Zoning
Capitol Park Cottages rezone and master plan amendment, 675 North F Street: follow-up
Discussed
Staff briefed the Council on motions before it for Ivory Development's 19-lot project. Applicant Peter Gamvroulas said he would accept conditions: no accessory dwelling units in the rear yard along the western boundary, no second levels within 30 feet of that boundary, open space accessible to the public, a deed restriction or covenant barring short-term rentals in accessory units, and following normal building process for retaining walls. He noted the site plan was not complete and no walls were known at this time. Council Member Mano said the density was appropriate but opposed requiring retaining wall conformity as overreach compared with other projects. Planning staff said walls of four feet need a building permit and walls four feet and higher need a licensed engineer's approval; a three-foot setback was added to break up tall walls. Council Member Wharton, who joined during the item, said he would vote no because the neighborhood had no assurance the walls would be engineered and built safely.
- Applicant: Ivory Development
- Lots: 19
- Applicant-accepted conditions: no rear-yard ADUs along western boundary; no second levels within 30 feet of western boundary; public-accessible open space; no short-term rentals in ADUs; standard retaining wall process
Item 3 · Other
Thriving in Place update
Discussed
Community and Neighborhoods staff, the Mayor and a consultant presented the draft anti-displacement strategy, built from about 4,000 public comments, with a framework to protect tenants, preserve affordable housing and produce more. Near-term actions include a community benefits policy based on voluntary agreements, a tenant relocation assistance program and improved data on rents and demolitions. Staff proposed striking and replacing the existing housing mitigation ordinance, with the strategy released for review in January 2023, a Planning Commission hearing in March and Council hearing and adoption April to June 2023. Staff said there were 12 requests to amend adopted master plans between 2020 and 2022; Council Member Fowler asked about updating plans, and staff said code language would define when a plan update is required with a zoning change.
Item 4 · Other
Oversight audits
Discussed
The Council's executive director described types of audits, possible areas and ways to audit a department or a topic across departments. She suggested holding off on auditing Finance, Human Resources and IMS because of their workload.
Item 5 · Other
Naming the Justice Court building the John L. Baxter Justice Court
No action
Written briefing only on naming the Justice Court building for Judge John L. Baxter, who served more than 20 years as a Justice Court judge. No discussion was held.
Item 6-10 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Kate Jarman Gates (Arts Council), Ben Trueman, Laura Lewis and Maxwell McLeod (Bicycle Advisory Committee) and Emoli Kearns (Historic Landmark Commission); all were slated for the consent agenda.
Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted 7-0 to enter closed session for real property strategy and attorney-client matters. A motion to exit passed 6-0 with Council Member Valdemoros absent.
What residents said
Retaining walls at Capitol Park CottagesDisplacementShort-term rentals in ADUs