Council straw polls support 600-foot height cap with design review for Delta Center district and hears $250-350 million Green Loop estimate
August 13, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
In straw polls, all members present supported a 600-foot maximum height in the D-4 district with full Planning Commission design review at 200 feet, plaza setback flexibility, and staff's sign proposals with no off-premise signs for now. The Council also heard a Green Loop briefing with a $250 million to $350 million citywide cost estimate, draft housing program fund policies, and Capital Improvement Program adjustments. Council Member Alejandro Puy joined at 4:10 p.m. and left at 5:20 p.m.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Andrew Johnston reported homeless resource centers at capacity, the micro shelter community moved to 700 West and expected to open by October 2024 for 50 people, and The Otherside Village planning 30 homes by the end of 2024. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez asked about security at Washington Square and Library Square and asked for a public space management plan; the security director said staffing was the biggest need. Council Member Victoria Petro asked about alternatives to people gathering in public spaces. Public Utilities Deputy Director Jesse Stewart reviewed Great Salt Lake and reservoir levels and said work was under way to increase treatment plant effluent flowing to the lake.
Item 2 · Other
Draft policies for housing program funds in Community and Neighborhoods
Discussed
Department staff presented a draft Housing Program Funds Policy using dormant program funds to expand existing programs. It would create a self-replenishing Tenant and Homeowner Loan Fund and a loan committee of two Community Development and Capital Improvement Program board members, the department and housing stability directors and the chief financial officer. Programs covered include the Community Land Trust, home repair and a Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing preservation pilot, plus sub-recipient programs run with partners such as The Road Home. The proposal would also pay off and close old lines of credit.
Item 3 · Zoning
Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention district text amendment (D-4) follow-up
Discussed · 6-0
Planners and Council staff took straw polls on moving the D-4 amendment forward. All members present supported a maximum height of 600 feet with full Planning Commission design review at 200 feet, matching the D-1 zone; allowing front yard setbacks to be exceeded to add a plaza; addressing setbacks from adjacent properties in the development agreement; and staff's sign proposals, including overlay standards, no off-premise signs at this time, reciprocity within the overlay blocks and display hours addressed through a development agreement. Council Member Alejandro Puy was absent for these polls.
- Applicant: Salt Lake County petition; related to Smith Entertainment Group's Delta Center district
Item 4 · Roads and utilities
Green Loop update
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the Green Loop the culmination of 15 years of wanting a connected downtown park experience, encircling downtown with about 60 acres of new park space and more than five miles of linear park. Staff said downtown had added nearly 4,000 units since 2019 with no new green space, and that 200 East and 500 West are top implementation priorities. The high-level cost estimate is $250 million to $350 million for the whole loop and $85 million to $90 million for 200 East; maintenance and funding information would follow. Council Member Sarah Young asked how construction would be staged, citing 2100 South; Council Member Lopez Chavez questioned 500 West readiness and other financial tools; Council Member Chris Wharton raised North Temple traffic and a maintenance plan; Council Member Puy asked about added maintenance staff and a public or private operating model; Council Member Petro asked about stewardship and capacity.
- Budget$300.0 million
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Capital Improvement Program follow-up
Discussed
Council Members discussed adjustments to the project funding list. Council Member Puy asked to shift $160,000 from Memory Grove's $1.91 million request, which Council Member Wharton opposed; asked to prioritize the Fife Wetlands in the Jordan River bond project; and suggested using most of a canceled project's $807,000 for traffic calming on California Avenue near Glendale Middle and Mountain View Elementary. Members tentatively wanted the $350,000 planning and design item prioritized for the citywide transportation plan, traffic calming and water conservation, and agreed to fund $505,000 of dead tree replacement on North Temple from the General Fund. Council Member Young asked to keep the $754,000 Fairmont Park basketball court with scope set by public engagement; Lopez Chavez said the Faultline Park playground ($337,000) had already been replaced; Council Member Daniel Dugan proposed $100,000 more for a HAWK signal in Safer Crossings and $495,000 for Complete Streets reconstruction; Council Member Darin Mano asked to fully fund Fayette Avenue improvements ($560,000) with the unallocated $595,000. Discussion would continue August 27.
- Budget$1.91 million
- Budget$505,000
- Budget$560,000
- Budget$595,000
Item 6 · Appointment
Board appointment: Library Board
Discussed
The Council interviewed Tricia Pil for a term ending June 30, 2027. Council Member Petro said her name was on the consent agenda.
Item 7 · Budget
Cultural Core budget update (THE BLOCKS) (written briefing)
Discussed
Written briefing only: the approved budget update for the initiative now called THE BLOCKS, with an annual city appropriation of $300,000 under an interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County. No discussion was held.
- Budget$300,000 to Salt Lake County (interlocal partner)
Item 8 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund loan to Policy Kings Brewery, LLC (written briefing)
Discussed
Written briefing only on an ordinance approving a $75,000 loan to Policy Kings Brewery, LLC at 925 South Jefferson Street, described as Utah's first Black-owned brewery. No discussion was held.
- Contract$75,000 to Policy Kings Brewery, LLC
Item 10 · Other
Executive Director report: Sister Cities travel and staffing document correction
Discussed · 5-1
Associate Deputy Director Lehua Weaver asked whether the Council supported paying for Council Member Darin Mano to attend an upcoming Sister Cities visit to Matsumoto, Japan, a trip not covered by the Council Policy Manual. In a straw poll, all members present supported it except Council Member Daniel Dugan, who opposed; Council Member Puy was absent. Council Members Chris Wharton and Dugan said the Council needs a policy on such travel. Weaver also noted a correction to the staffing document to reflect what the Council discussed.
What residents said
Security at Washington Square and Library SquareGreen Loop cost and maintenanceHeight and signs in the D-4 district