Council elects Victoria Petro 2024 chair and presses developer on public benefit for 500 South rezone
January 9, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Council members elected Victoria Petro chair and Chris Wharton vice chair for 2024 by unanimous straw poll. They asked a developer seeking a rezone near 500 South and 400 East to return with community benefits, and backed a modified paramedic staffing proposal in Budget Amendment No. 3.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Other
Nomination of 2024 council chair and vice chair
Approved
Council Member Alejandro Puy nominated Council Member Victoria Petro for chair and Council Member Darin Mano nominated Council Member Chris Wharton for vice chair. Council members elected each unanimously in straw polls.
Item 2 · Presentation
Administration updates: engagement, water supply and homeless services
Discussed
Staff reported on community engagement, the Love Your Block program expanding to Ballpark and Guadalupe, and winter water supply (Deer Creek Reservoir 94% full, Utah Lake 93.71% full, local snowpack 72-92% of median). Homeless services staff said the Homeless Resource Center was at 99% capacity and Code Blue beds were not yet full. Council members asked why emergency funding approved before Christmas was not distributed immediately and how hotel rooms were allocated.
Item 3 · Zoning
Rezone at 357 and 375 East 500 South and 460-466 South 400 East
Discussed
The council was briefed on a request to rezone the properties from RMU-45 to TSA-UC-C (Transit Station Area Urban Center Core). The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation and no development plans were submitted with the application. The applicant said the intended project is 54 market-rate two-bedroom units. Council members questioned affordability and the public benefit of extra height, and some said adding units alone did not justify a rezone and raised precedent concerns; the applicant said requiring affordable housing would keep the project from moving forward. The council asked the applicants to return with options for community benefits.
- Applicant: Zachary Jones of Cowboy Partners, for the property owners
- Current zone to proposed: RMU-45 to TSA-UC-C
- Council District 4
Item 4 · Presentation
Downtown Alliance update
Discussed
The Downtown Alliance presented its 2023 report, a fiscal 2024 operating budget of $5,150,000, farmers market and ambassador program results and the Open Streets report. Council members asked about visitor tracking and a contingency plan for the Downtown Farmers Market move planned for 2025, and asked to be included in those discussions.
- Budget$5.15 million to Downtown Alliance
Item 5 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 3, fiscal 2023-24 (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff presented a modified proposal for item A-1: two new civilian single-role paramedic positions and reclassifying two vacant entry-level firefighter positions, cost-neutral this fiscal year and $133,266 in fiscal 2025. Council members discussed the paramedic role versus EMTs and making staffing changes during regular budget seasons. A straw poll supported the modified proposal, with all members present in favor.
Item 6-7 · Appointment
Airport Board appointments: Luz Escamilla and Nathan Rafferty
Discussed
The council interviewed both for terms ending Jan. 9, 2028. Council Member Mano said both names would be on the consent agenda.
What residents said
Public benefit of rezone heightAffordabilityFarmers market move