Council briefed on Northpoint annexation, historic preservation rules, alley vacation and nonprofit grants
October 17, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
The Council discussed the Northpoint Small Area Plan and a city-led annexation, a rewrite of the historic preservation overlay rules, an alley vacation on 300 West, open space ordinance changes and $2 million in nonprofit direct assistance grants. It interviewed candidates for two boards and voted 7-0 to enter and exit a closed session.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff gave updates on community engagement, the RDA's Ballpark NEXT project, the Community Electrified Transportation Study, the Capitol Hill Traffic Calming Study, Love Your Block accomplishments, and the draft I-15 environmental impact statement. Andrew Johnston reported on Homeless Resource Center use, encampment mitigation and winter shelter information.
Item 2 · General plan
Northpoint Small Area Plan (follow-up)
Discussed
The Council continued discussing a plan for land between the airport and the city's northern boundary along the 2200 West corridor, which also would amend the Major Streets Plan. Members and staff discussed preservation efforts, road ownership, zoning, resident concerns, and the pros and cons of annexing the area in parts or as a whole. Staff said the process was a city-led annexation without a petition.
Item 3 · City code
Historic Preservation Overlay District text amendment
Discussed
Planner Amy Thompson described a reorganization of the zoning chapter on the H Historic Preservation Overlay District, with new sections on applicability, exemptions, staff approval of solar panels, notice for demolition of noncontributing buildings and fees, plus new processes to update historic resource surveys and make historic status determinations. Members asked about appeals, protecting nonconforming structures with historic value, removing barriers for homeowners, penalties for purposeful damage, neighbor outreach and economic hardship procedures.
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00123
- Hearing set for Nov. 7; tentative action Nov. 14
Item 4 · Development
Alley vacation at approximately 1518 South 300 West
Discussed
The applicant, architect, and applicant Riley Rogers presented a request to vacate two city-owned alleys next to properties on 300 West, Andrew Avenue and Van Buren Avenue to allow redevelopment; design and planned development applications are under review. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation with conditions: a development agreement requiring a public mid-block walkway between Andrew and Van Buren avenues with a public access easement, and no conveyance of alley land until 60 days after Council action. Council Member Darin Mano asked that street activation be included because of concern about parking garages along the street. Members also discussed public access percentages, traffic on 300 West and signs showing the alley is not a through street.
- Petitioner: the applicant, representing the property owner
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00408
- Council District 5
- Hearing set for Nov. 7; tentative action Nov. 14
Item 5 · Other
Emergency Loan Program repayment: legislative intents follow-up
Discussed
Staff updated the Council on intents added in 2022 to the Emergency Loan Program, which gave no-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits early in the pandemic. Members discussed loan terms, reduced payments, forgiveness, repayment flexibility, a public benefit analysis for unusual cases, and returning funds to the General Fund.
Item 7 · City code
Open Space Lands ordinance amendments
Discussed
The Council heard a proposal to give more flexibility for removing certain properties from the Open Space Inventory, including granting utility easements and selling or exchanging very small parcels. Public Lands director Kristen Riker and a senior city attorney answered questions about parcel sizes, past disposals of open space and the sale process.
- Tentative action Nov. 7
Item 9 · Budget
Local nonprofit direct assistance grant awards
Discussed
Housing staff presented the Community Recovery Committee's and mayor's recommendations to award $2 million in one-time grants to 23 of 40 applicants for direct services to low- and moderate-income residents affected by COVID-19. The money was allocated as ARPA funds in April 2022 and reallocated as General Funds in May 2023. Members discussed mental health assistance, spreading money to more organizations, and school wellbeing rooms; Alliance House and NeighborWorks were named as organizations members wanted to fund.
- Grant$2.00 million to 23 local nonprofits (recommended)
Item 10 · Contract
Amended election services interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County
No action
The Council received a written briefing on an amendment to the election services agreement with Salt Lake County to cover the District Seven special election and the Nov. 21, 2023 general election using ranked choice voting. The city would pay any charges beyond the estimate, such as a recount. No discussion was held.
- Tentative action Nov. 7
Item 11 · Appointment
Police Civilian Review Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Ben Raskin, Thomas Walker and Antonio Esquibel. Council Member Darin Mano said their names would be on the consent agenda.
Item 12 · Appointment
Historic Landmark Commission appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Alan Barnett, Adrienne White and Jared Stewart. Council Member Darin Mano said their names would be on the consent agenda.
Item 15 · Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to enter a closed session from 5:30 to 6:07 p.m. for strategy on pending or reasonably imminent litigation and attorney-client matters, then voted to exit.
What residents said
Annexation of Northpoint areaStreet activation on 300 West