Council hears First Step House rezone and Edison Street alley vacation; backs development agreement for security measures
March 18, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
In a work session, the Council was briefed on a request to rezone 273 East 800 South for a 34-unit deeply affordable apartment building by First Step House, and on an alley vacation near 1409 South Edison Street that the Planning Commission opposed. A straw poll supported asking staff to pursue a development agreement for the rezone. The Council also heard the end-of-session legislative review and FY2025-26 federal grant recommendations of about $7.7 million.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Other
State legislative briefing follow-up
Discussed
The City's lobbyist and legislative affairs director thanked those involved in the session, reviewed session statistics and the legislative synopsis, covered high-level bills affecting the City and outlined next steps.
Item 2 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at approximately 273 East 800 South (First Step House)
Discussed
Planning staff and the applicant briefed the Council on a request to rezone a vacant office building from I Institutional to RMF-45 Moderate/High-Density Multi-Family to allow 34 one-bedroom apartments for households at or below 30 percent of area median income; the zone could be changed to a similar district. Council members asked who would benefit and the waiting list size, whether First Step House would agree to a development agreement with security measures such as fencing, involving the Central City Community Council, and community benefit. In a straw poll, all members present supported asking staff to work with Planning on a development agreement reflecting Police Department review suggestions on safety and other suggestions from public comment. Council Members Alejandro Puy and Victoria Petro were absent for the poll.
- Applicant: the applicant, on behalf of First Step House
- Units: 34 one-bedroom apartments at 30% AMI or lower
- Current zone → proposed: I → RMF-45
- Council District 4
- Hearing set for April 15, 2025
Item 3 · Other
Alley vacation near 1409 South Edison Street
Discussed
Staff briefed the Council on a petition to vacate part of a City-owned alley beside properties at about 1409 South Edison Street and 1404 South 200 East, with the segment split between abutting owners. Planning staff recommended approval; the Planning Commission forwarded a negative recommendation. The applicants said the gate predated their ownership, neighbors supported the request, Fire and Police had no objections and they knew of no utility access issues. Council Members Puy and Petro rejoined during this item.
- Council District 5
Item 5 · Budget
FY2025-26 federal grant allocations (CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA) and Consolidated Plan
Discussed
Housing staff briefed the Council on recommendations for allocating about $7.7 million in HUD funds flowing through the Division of Housing Stability, from an advisory board and the Mayor. Members asked for more information on moving funding from South Valley Services to YWCA, why Neighborworks was not funded, showing other funding sources in the table, and how many homes Items 5 through 8 would serve. Action is tentatively scheduled for April 15, 2025.
- Grant$7.70 million
Item 6 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4 for FY2024-25
Discussed
Written briefing only, with no discussion. The amendment includes a grant to mitigate lead paint hazards.
Other
Closed session
No action · 7-0
The Council voted 7-0 to enter a closed session for collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters, then voted 7-0 to exit. No action was recorded.
What residents said
Affordable housing and securityAlley access