Council briefed on downtown building heights, federal housing grants and airport code rewrite
April 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
The Council heard briefings on the Downtown Building Height and Street Activation text amendment, the FY2023-24 federal grant allocations, a rezone at 792 West 900 South and a rewrite of the airport code. It also received spring runoff flood updates and interviewed four board nominees. No votes were taken in the work session. The posted minutes are marked pending and not approved.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Other
Administration updates: community engagement, homelessness and spring runoff flooding
Discussed
City staff reviewed engagement efforts, including the shelter zoning public hearing and the ADU changes set for action that night, plus homelessness resource data. The Public Utilities director said snowpack in the Provo-Utah-Jordan basin was 207% of median and described flood preparation, including sandbag staging. Council Members Mano and Fowler asked for flood-zone and preparedness links to share with residents. Council Member Puy asked about sandbag pickup on the west side and suggested using the SLC mobile app for push notices; the director said the city could coordinate with Salt Lake County on more sites.
- Presenters: Tim Cosgrove, Andrew Johnston, Laura Briefer
- Next resource fair April 14, 2023 at Pioneer Park
Item 2 · Presentation
Equity update and Afghan community coordinator
Discussed
Staff introduced the city's new Afghan community coordinator and described the Know Your Neighbor program. They listed challenges for Afghan residents including housing, English, employment, legal status and child care, and volunteer help such as child care and document assistance.
Item 3 · Budget
FY2023-24 Community Development Block Grant and other federal grant allocations (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff followed up on the Mayor's funding recommendations for the one-year action plan covering CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds, and on an appropriations resolution and interlocal agreement with HUD. Council Members Petro and Fowler supported funding a public services line item up to $30,000, and Council Members Valdemoros and Fowler supported another. Council Member Fowler asked why recaptured prior-year funds went unspent; the housing director cited staffing changes and the pandemic. Council Member Puy said he wanted to look at other funding, including the General Fund, to avoid cutting programs. Council Member Petro joined during this item.
- Grant$923,000 to Neighborhood Business Improvement Program
- Programs: CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA
- Tentative Council action: April 18, 2023
Item 4 · Zoning
Downtown Building Height and Street Activation text amendment (briefing)
Discussed
Planning staff and consultant Design Workshop briefed the Council on a mayor-initiated text amendment to the downtown zoning districts D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, G-MU, CG, FB-UN1 and FB-UN2. It covers pedestrian-oriented standards such as front setbacks, surface parking, mid-block walkways and streetscape standards, building height changes including a new height transition standard, and design review updates. Proposed sidewalk widths and height changes for the Granary and Depot districts were also discussed.
- Petitioner: Mayor Erin Mendenhall
- Public hearing set for April 18, 2023; tentative action May 2, 2023
Item 6 · Zoning
Rezone at 792 West 900 South and 875 South 800 West (briefing)
Discussed
Staff briefed the Council on a request to rezone property from M-1 Light Manufacturing to R-MU Residential/Mixed Use so two small multi-family buildings could be built. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. The applicant said he proposed a four-plex to bring longer-term tenants and cited similar zoning nearby and the value of smaller multi-family housing on the west side.
- Applicant: the applicant
- Current zone → proposed: M-1 → R-MU
- Council District 2
- No development plans submitted
Item 7 · Other
Legislative intent responses from the Administration (follow-up)
Discussed
A policy analyst summarized administration responses to adopted legislative intents, including recouping fire costs for University of Utah calls, hazardous materials ordinance reimbursement, police programs, public lands weed control and maintenance funding, and Redevelopment Agency accounts.
Item 8 · City code
Airport Title 16 rewrite (briefing)
Discussed
Airport officials described a proposal to repeal and replace Title 16 of the city code, removing duplicate and outdated rules and Federal Aviation Administration-regulated language, moving commercial minimum standards into stand-alone documents, and moving ground transportation rules into Title 5. They said work began in mid-2021 and that fees stay tied to the Consolidated Fee Schedule.
- Public hearing set for April 18, 2023
Item 9-12 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews: Airport Board, CDCIP Advisory Board, Bicycle Advisory Committee, PNUT Advisory Board
Discussed
The Council interviewed Hoang Nguyen (Airport Board, term ending April 4, 2027), Joseph Murphy (CDCIP Advisory Board, term ending June 1, 2026), Alla Chernenko (Bicycle Advisory Committee, term ending April 4, 2026) and Talula Pontuti (PNUT Advisory Board, term ending April 4, 2026). Council Member Petro said each name would be on that night's consent agenda.
What residents said
Spring runoff floodingSandbag access on the west side